P4GTR Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 A Sandhill Crane couple. I've heard them around and I've been looking for them. Finally, yesterday morning they were right outside the house. They let me get within a few feet, as long as chunks of a tasty hoagie roll kept coming. My new friends followed me home! Nah, they actually were walking away from me. I was on my way out to walk this beast, but left her in the house and grabbed my new SLR camera to take those shots with. I'm new to photography with a "real" camera. Frustrating at times, but fun. Thanks for looking. Sorry they aren't watch pictures... I'll compromise and leave you with this parting shot... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dingleberry Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 nice pics. colors on those birds are amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demsey Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Wow D, I've lived in FL most of my adult life, with five years on your coast but never saw those before. The name is familiar tho'. Nice pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Beautiful birds! At least you grab your SLR and not of your Pistol! Oh....and you didn't forget the bread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 We see them out in some of the developments out west of town here in West Palm. It's kind of amazing to see one, they're so big. I wouldn't get too close. They could hurt you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted January 19, 2010 Report Share Posted January 19, 2010 Wow... this is the very first time I've seen them outside of Japanese murals or Playing cards..I am truly in awe.. to me they equate to viewing the Bald Eagle.. but Eagle's Ive seen.. these cranes I have not.. they are truly Beautiful creatures.. and that is one ferocious beast you got B Thank you very much for posting these.. I have to send it to my folks to view.. AC/Lani Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted January 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2010 Funny, I don't like dogs much and i'm allergic to cats, but I love birds. We have a few parrots in the family. Wasn't scared of these guys at all. I could tell if they didn't want me around, and I would've obliged. This morning, I saw them again. I was concerned that I only saw one by itself because they usually stick together. Hopefully the other is ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanikai Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Is Florida a usual stop in the migratory path of these birds?? I can't help revisiting the pics.. like I said.. I've only seen them in paintings.. they are majestic creatures.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadtorrent Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Beautiful. What a treat. Fantastic photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbh Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 I'm not sure but I think they might be year around residents. I've never researched it. I think they were just a species that was on the brink of extinction like the whooping crane and now they are making a comeback. When I see them they are so tall I just figure they could easily peck your eye out. Maybe I'm just paranoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4GTR Posted January 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 They are FL residents. Sandhill cranes do migrate south, but there is a subspecies that is resident to this state. The Florida Sandhill Crane is far less common, with some 5,000 individuals remaining. They are most threatened by habitat destruction and probably depend on human management in the long run. In Florida, it is protected, and if killed, carries a very high monetary penalty. This subspecies is under protection of state and federal law at this time. Though the Sandhill Crane is not considered threatened as a species, the three southernmost subspecies are quite rare. While the migratory birds could at least choose secure breeding habitat, the resident populations could not, and many subpopulations were destroyed by hunting or habitat change. Thanks for looking and posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfreeman420 Posted January 21, 2010 Report Share Posted January 21, 2010 Damn Hike, I forgot what I was going to say................ I am in FL also. Never seen those birds. I do have squirrels that will take peanuts from my hand though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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