The Sandhill Crane Family at the Ranch Pond

Sandhill Cranes are really wonderful big birds.  Isn’t it wonderful how the chick has grown? I am so very glad for it. The Sandhill Cranes seem to be outstanding parents.  I had photographed this little chick with its parents several weeks ago, about a quarter-mile down the road from this particular ranch pond.  This pond is a place I often go to photograph wildlife and is either at, or next to, one of the larger, important horse farms in Northwest Marion County, Florida.

There are a lot of cattle on this pasture with the pond these days.  The big equestrian event has concluded so there is less human commotion around the area.  So far, the pond still has wildlife living there, even with those cows!  There is a nesting pair of Canada Geese and another nesting pair of Mottled Ducks there now.  I took these pictures from the roadway on April 2, 2015.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

A Special Edition: A Sandhill Crane Family!

The Sand Hill Crane duo that I have photographed several times in the past at a rather swampy small pond in Northwestern Marion County, Florida have become parents!  I am thrilled!  I often look for these cranes when I am up on this road looking for wildlife (ducks, egrets, turtles, turkeys and the cranes).

In recent weeks, I had missing seeing one of these large beauties and now I know why – she was nesting!  I took these pictures yesterday (March 16, 2015) from the roadside using my long lens.  These birds were in a pasture on one of the major horse farms in our area.  Please click on the thumbnail image to see the larger picture.  Enjoy and have a very happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I will be back to my regular posting schedule tomorrow.