Monday 24 February 2014

The Cranes Return.



One of the absolute delights of early spring, is seeing, and hearing, the return of the Cranes. It has to be the highlight of my ornithological year.

I took the above photo at 4.40pm on Saturday afternoon. As usual they were flying very high, so I'm quite pleased that I managed to get a picture at all. Sometimes much bigger groups go over, but this one was relatively small. There will be others.

I always find it an emotional moment; both when they depart, and when they return.

As they fly over the cottage, their high pitched calls shout out "Hi Cro, we're back", and I wave to them from maybe 200 metres below.

I never tire of witnessing this wonderful event.

Welcome home guys!

18 comments:

  1. Wonderful sight - no cranes here.

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  2. I saw one on it's own yesterday afternoon, flying over our house. I'm always amazed when I see birds and animals that aren't regular visitors. I even get excited when I see a fox…..goodness knows what I'd be like if we went on safari !!!!
    ….. and, Lady M's drain rods would be most welcome Cro and, perhaps her expertise. Its a shame that you don't live around the corner !! XXXX !!

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  3. When we return in a few weeks time I shall stand on the terrace and give a high pitched call "Hi, Cro, we're back!" Another wonderful annual event...

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  4. What a sight - how lucky are you? I feel the same way when the swallows return - not as exotic but just as pleasing.

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  5. Funny that you should mention the cranes, I have just read about them returning in Kentucky USA on this blog
    http://wwwmorningsminion.blogspot.co.uk
    As for swallows, I think I saw about 4 last year. Of course they were out in the country but even there not many. We used to have them nesting on our corner building and we also had the swifts screaming up and down the road but sadly no longer.
    Briony
    x

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  6. Same here for swallows. I think it will be another couple of months yet. They nest in our barn and the wood store. We spend hours watching them.
    Cranes sound very exotic! Do they nest near to you, or are they passing over?

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    Replies
    1. I think they go up to Scandinavia. When they go south it's to North Africa.

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  7. Our big excitement is spotting the first robin before it spots us lol.

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  8. I love this post, Cro. Like Delores, I get that same feeling of joy when I see the robins return in March.

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  9. I would never tire of it either Cro - I wish we had Cranes here. I get emotional about the rooks passing my window every morning, and about seeing the first swallow arrive in the barn. But I always think cranes and storks are quite something else. So exciting.

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  10. Beautiful! The other day, while I was sitting on the back porch in the morning, the most gorgeous female cardinal sat on the wisteria which grows up next to the porch. I wish I had my camera at that moment. Birds make me happy.

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  11. We are getting our annual Sandhills cranes here now, Mr. M. They are our forecaster for spring in my state.
    I'm also getting the typical spring rodent in my yard, the lowly mole, happily digging up my yard and making it a zone to break your ankle in a hole.
    Have a wonderful week, Mr M and to the Lovely Lady M, on holiday.
    Regards

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    Replies
    1. Death to Moles. They're a real pest here too!

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  12. Yeh, I like this. I like to see birds coming back or passing over and rush out to look at skeins of geese and swans and the noise they make and ducks as well and always wonder why I never see other people doing this. Now I know that out there you would be out there thinking the same as me.

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  13. Nothing says spring like birds migrating!

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