Parachuting Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill Cranes parachute against the stiff south wind at sunset for a soft landing into their roosting field. One of my hopes each fall is that there is at least one windy day in the fall during the Sandhill Crane migration when they lean against the wind while they’re coming in for a landing. It’s the little things in life . . .
Field Note
Sandhill cranes produce a variety of calls of differing intensity and volume that are used in different social contexts. The calls range from a piercing rattle that can be heard from four kilometers away to low purrs that only carry a few meters. Rattle calls can be sung in unison, with several members of the flock joining to create a cacophony of noise. By contrast, the quiet purrs are often heard just before cranes take-off, while they are feeding, or as a sign of aggression. (Source: The Nature Conservancy)
