Mating Dance of the Sand Hill Crane - Another of Nature's Dramas


Taking a side trip to Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, we made a sharp right turn off the highway onto a side road and were treated to one of nature’s dramas.  Fortunately I had my camera ready!


A group of Sand Hill Cranes were in a farmer’s wet field and I started taking pictures of them.  I was so excited that they were close enough to get some details.  








All of a sudden two of the cranes started jumping in the air spreading their wings and dancing.  The mating dance can take place all year and is quite the athletic event! 


Sand Hill Cranes, their take offs and landings, their calls and dances and their sheer group numbers make them unforgettable and one of my favorite birds.  Read more about them at

http://lindabrittdesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/migration-of-sand-hill-crane.html

http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/critter/bird/sandhill.htm


http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Birds/Sandhill-Crane.aspx
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Location: El Centro, USA

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