whooping Cranes!!!

[sheepheadslayer]

Seen a pair of whooping cranes about a mile south of the house Saturday evening. Wasn't sure what they were and called the old man he said that they were whooping cranes. Anybody else seen these? Heard they are pretty rare. Took some pics out the truck. A little far away but still can make em out. I don't know how to post em on here tho.

[ShawnZ]

That's a terrific sighting! Please also consider documenting this sighting on the Minnesota Ornithologists Union HSOforum. Congrats.

[sheepheadslayer]

I reported it on the site. Reading more on these rare birds I found that there are only about 340 living birds left and 140 are in captivity. I kind of feel privlidged to see a rare bird like this in the wild.

[MN Shutterbug]

We were actually fortunate to have 4 of them hanging around just 20 miles from here, 1 1/2 years ago in the fall. They stuck around for weeks so they gave me plenty opportunities to get photos with leg bands excluded. Congrats on seeing them. I hope you don't mind me posting my shots. I'm sure very few have ever seen them.

[JayinMN]

Okay Mike, where have you been hiding these shots? I don't remember you posting them before, they are awesome!

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks, Jay. I did post them at the time. You must have been on vacation. This was in the fall, and you're not on the forum as much in the fall. You do most of your damage in the winter.