Four more - different environment

[MN Shutterbug]

Headed back with friend at 7:30 this morning. Got to the locale and didn't see them. Worry set in - for about 5 seconds. They were on their way back, presumably from their roosting site. We timed it perfectly. TRhey flew over the SUV and landed exactly where they seem to always land. We didn't have the sun, but the light worked out just fine. After a few shots from the same spot, where my friend took a bunch of shots, they then flew off about 100 yards away. This was much better surroundings. We had fun.

I just read where these are the largest birds in North America, standing over five feet tall, and also one of the rarest birds. These Whooping Cranes are on the endangered list and there were reputed to be just 340 wild ones, in all of North America, 1 1/2 years ago. I feel quite fortunate to have taken photos of 1% of the continents only wild ones.

[yakfisher]

Good work X, it's been fun your posts of these birds. I bet it's been more fun taking the pictures.

[icewoman]

Just curious to know if all three were banded, only can see the two.

[dukhnt]

Gotta say the 2nd is my favorite out of these. Keep em coming. Hope they stick around awhile yet for you.

[MN Shutterbug]

Icewoman, all (4) birds are banded. If there was just one that wasn't banded, I'd have spent all my time shooting that one.

[yakfisher]

I don't know, the guys over on the duck page are always bragging about the number of bands they have.

[micpic]

Mike, what a find. You better be buying you friend a steak for turning you on to these birds. Your shots are all great. Mine would be blurry from shaking so bad, just like looking at that 30 point buck.

On another note, it's a shame that all these birds need to be banded just to keep track of there demise. The continuing draining of wetlands will not help this species. They need large area's of marsh land along there migration routes, and alot of hunter identification intruction to keep them safe. I think two years ago a couple got shot in Iowa, and the boy's only got a slap on the wrist. Ok, I've ranted but that's because I've been deprived of seeing one of these great birds. That's why I'm glad you shared.

Mic

[MN Shutterbug]

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

Yakfisher, it was a real rush.

Micpic, I enjoyed your "ranting". It's nice to know the photos were appreciated.

[Steve Foss]

Nice images again, Mike. I really like that last one. Kind of like he's playing hide and seek.

[MN Shutterbug]

Nice images again, Mike. I really like that last one. Kind of like he's playing hide and seek.

I used the mouse squeaker on him. I knew he was below the hill and really wanted a shot of just his head and neck, behind the hill.

Hmmm, I wonder where I got the idea for the mouse squeaker.