![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A7SWNmZ8A36-rI0vWzB4NW_YdZkLd6QXDgPVf8JpQSy6CR0TXFaHZfhsevuuNQafvOwoHm4Ywz8Q4Ivje2r91DpsMvsBF2NHA7TJaFKWMbx0IwtI7f1aoobqTfrmDlRHwuoUX6Akr_E/s320/crane+chicks+4:24:09.jpg)
There's a littoral area right behind our house that attracts all sorts of wildlife, mainly birds and a few river otters. A few weeks ago I spotted a Sandhill Crane nest right in the middle of the reeds! A neighbor had been watching prior to me and apparently it took three attempts at nest-building before the Mrs. was satisfied! She laid her two eggs and a few weeks later, today, they hatched.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMSNybgG6LYqC02jgt7hwkBYdlVkF_5l8prh5M0VcFGPDNE3XFmfAisqUqWaRli9i-HED1LIfpbvRzeQPIiLjTBgLe7GU-nI7sa_rLBqbwd7R3tMyJ7WWvjJ1LqMQev30TxIlastd4_g/s320/crane+chick3+4:09.jpg)
Returning from my walk there were cars and bicycles parked on the side of the road, some people with those huge lenses on their cameras.
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By the time I got my camera and returned everyone was gone. I waited a while and the parents took the babies onto the grassy area adjoining the water. I was amazed how close they allowed me to get. Both parents make a purring sound to keep the chicks near, I am guessing.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4KxajmViMFxkk8LduG61Sp4DI9bT0AfB-Y1sx59jvbNEVqLAPw1j-hjYQyVdffKTOgq7hPfo3cU0irKh6_4QSsqEyHtwbJiZs1qJE66n2fvsNdOW6vvNPmJLdhmfO7k8LWV1l5Ep2gXs/s320/crane+chick1+4:2009.jpg)
The chicks were really struggling to get through the grass and reeds and to keep up with the parents. The adults are about three to four feet tall.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8SvZq35uI6wlAfMm2fCX1c8Ji1YfH4WPGBoVRfedSlmXgeLoGKXerUg-29b4VIh8enXWB0UTYjTb9XxIsRPHBDoQX1jXgWK64KUtCzMXPPL6A59ZaYFBDedsnQtRUY5Rq4OFlz9Fci0/s320/crane+parent+and+chick+4:09.jpg)
The next several weeks will be a real challenge. In addition to avoiding alligators, raptors, and other predators, vehicles pose a real threat.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5fSwxL2FqqJuBHz5QGjfk9nWvEpIXPcTM5PotSkbg1Ej4a8LYzRLmwgCM4e8ZDhfX4znlVC9_ZVFY5vV7Nj5KQ7aWjv_xYOpQ-K8r5ElY2T18TzpazT5KObuzz-8rVolaD__T43tJdo/s320/crane+chicks+4:2009.jpg)
It is unusual for both chicks to survive. These two seem to be in great shape so I've got my fingers crossed.
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Thanks for stopping by.
3 comments:
Those are some great pics... what kind of camera do you use? Those chicks are adorable, by the way.
Thanks for sharing! I just love to see wildlife, especially newborns. I have my fingers crossed too!
Your pictures are beautiful. I was taken back for a minute when you said that they would have to survive alligators, among other things. I took another look at where you live and then wondered how often you run into them if they are that close. I will cross my fingers for the little guys.
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