Sandhill Cranes flying in tight formation

Early afternoon in late November, Sandhill Cranes take off from the marsh, resuming their southbound migration. The already declining sun shines on their light gray plumage, making them look like flying silver shapes on the deep blue sky.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

Early afternoon in late November, Sandhill Cranes take off from the marsh, resuming their southbound migration. The already declining sun shines on their light gray plumage, making them look like flying silver shapes on the deep blue sky.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

Early afternoon in late November, Sandhill Cranes take off from the marsh, resuming their southbound migration. The already declining sun shines on their light gray plumage, making them look like flying silver shapes on the deep blue sky.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

On their descent to the marsh the early afternoon sunlight hits on their light gray plumage, making them into shiny shapes against the light brown shade of the wilted vegetation.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

It’s March the Sandhill Cranes are migrating back North to their breeding grounds. On arrival they circle over the marsh before picking a landing spot. I captured this shot of the big birds, sunlight reflected on their light plumage resulting in flying shiny shapes against the gray background of the bare trees.

Bully on the lake

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive.

Fighting wading birds

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Fighting shore birds

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Fighting Greater Yellowlegs

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Fighting Greater Yellowlegs

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Canada Goose

Canada Goose splash down.

Fighting Greater Yellowlegs

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Family of Sandhill Cranes

After having spent all day patrolling the marsh in all directions I couldn’t find the family of Sandhill Cranes anywhere. Hopeless I headed for the parking lot, at the last moment I decided to take a look on the other side of the highway and true enough there they are, standing clearly against the green tapestry of the fields. In the remaining light of the day I was able to capture the 3 birds confidently wandering around and feeding.

Adult Sandhill Crane with colt

After having spent all day patrolling the marsh in all directions I couldn’t find the family of Sandhill Cranes anywhere. Hopeless I headed for the parking lot, at the last moment I decided to take a look on the other side of the highway and true enough there they are, standing clearly against the green tapestry of the fields. In the remaining light of the day I was able to capture the 3 birds confidently wandering around and feeding.

Family of Sandhill Cranes

After having spent all day patrolling the marsh in all directions I couldn’t find the family of Sandhill Cranes anywhere. Hopeless I headed for the parking lot, at the last moment I decided to take a look on the other side of the highway and true enough there they are, standing clearly against the green tapestry of the fields. In the remaining light of the day I was able to capture the 3 birds confidently wandering around and feeding.

Blue Heron

Blue Heron lift off.

Goslings

Gosling spreading its wings.

Just a difference of opinion

Tree Swallows seem to continually bicker during breeding season. In the sunshine, the feathers on their backs have a beautiful blue-green sheen.

A brief pause

An Alder Flycatcher pauses briefly before flying out again catching insects mid-air.

Rock Pigeon

Pigeon portrait in tree.

Sandhill Cranes flying in tight formation

Early afternoon in late November, Sandhill Cranes take off from the marsh, resuming their southbound migration. The already declining sun shines on their light gray plumage, making them look like flying silver shapes on the deep blue sky.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

Early afternoon in late November, Sandhill Cranes take off from the marsh, resuming their southbound migration. The already declining sun shines on their light gray plumage, making them look like flying silver shapes on the deep blue sky.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

Early afternoon in late November, Sandhill Cranes take off from the marsh, resuming their southbound migration. The already declining sun shines on their light gray plumage, making them look like flying silver shapes on the deep blue sky.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

On their descent to the marsh the early afternoon sunlight hits on their light gray plumage, making them into shiny shapes against the light brown shade of the wilted vegetation.

Sandhill Cranes in migration

It’s March the Sandhill Cranes are migrating back North to their breeding grounds. On arrival they circle over the marsh before picking a landing spot. I captured this shot of the big birds, sunlight reflected on their light plumage resulting in flying shiny shapes against the gray background of the bare trees.

Bully on the lake

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive.

Fighting wading birds

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Fighting shore birds

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Fighting Greater Yellowlegs

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Fighting Greater Yellowlegs

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Canada Goose

Canada Goose splash down.

Fighting Greater Yellowlegs

Shallow water on the edge of the lake is ideal feeding area for wading birds. When it comes to defending their territory Greater Yellowlegs can get quite aggressive. Their long legs are used to attack the intruder in Kungfu style flying kicks!

Family of Sandhill Cranes

After having spent all day patrolling the marsh in all directions I couldn’t find the family of Sandhill Cranes anywhere. Hopeless I headed for the parking lot, at the last moment I decided to take a look on the other side of the highway and true enough there they are, standing clearly against the green tapestry of the fields. In the remaining light of the day I was able to capture the 3 birds confidently wandering around and feeding.

Adult Sandhill Crane with colt

After having spent all day patrolling the marsh in all directions I couldn’t find the family of Sandhill Cranes anywhere. Hopeless I headed for the parking lot, at the last moment I decided to take a look on the other side of the highway and true enough there they are, standing clearly against the green tapestry of the fields. In the remaining light of the day I was able to capture the 3 birds confidently wandering around and feeding.

Family of Sandhill Cranes

After having spent all day patrolling the marsh in all directions I couldn’t find the family of Sandhill Cranes anywhere. Hopeless I headed for the parking lot, at the last moment I decided to take a look on the other side of the highway and true enough there they are, standing clearly against the green tapestry of the fields. In the remaining light of the day I was able to capture the 3 birds confidently wandering around and feeding.

Blue Heron

Blue Heron lift off.

Goslings

Gosling spreading its wings.

Just a difference of opinion

Tree Swallows seem to continually bicker during breeding season. In the sunshine, the feathers on their backs have a beautiful blue-green sheen.

A brief pause

An Alder Flycatcher pauses briefly before flying out again catching insects mid-air.

Rock Pigeon

Pigeon portrait in tree.