Update! After the female's release, I didn't see either crane for almost a month. Then, a couple of weeks ago, she showed up, looking emaciated and frightened. Her foot was still swollen and she seemed to favor it a little. The male was nowhere to be seen. Well, this morning they came in for a noisy landing in my front yard. I rushed their breakfast out to them. They both crowded up to me and I was able to get a good look at the female's feet. The swelling had gone down and the toe didn't shrivel and drop off as predicted. With the exception of a light-colered scar, the injured foot looked just like the other one. She had gained weight and was as sassy as ever! After breakfast, they both kept me company all day while I repaired my outboard motor out in the yard. My family is back together! Praise the Lord!

Kate; The state of Kansas opened in 1993 a season for hunting Sandhill Cranes- thus the seven (7) hunters in Kansas last year who shot and killed 2 of the 3 Whoopers that morning not only tarnished the public image of "ethical hunters" and undermined the DNR reputation for wildlife stewardship, but caused great harm by reducing the population of adult Whoopers traversing from Canada(Wood Buffalo) to Texas by 3% percent. The other bad thing about this is it took "other" people to report the shootings ,after finding wounded Whoopers.- What are we teaching our illustrious "gun-slingers", "Humanity" going Backwards. --------------------------------------------------------- - On March 15,2005 another one of the youngsters from the 2004 class of Whoopers who left Wisconsin last fall following the trike planes , and have stayed in Florida was found eaten by a bobcat. The remaining 12 youngsters from 2004 class should be starting thier 1200 mile journey back to Necedah anytime soon- this time they are on "their own", no one to lead and guide them, they might even wonder all over the Midwest Area, just like some who wondered off into Michigan, one who stayed in Illinos all year, it's nice hear their KREER- kREER overhead when they spiral, float and head North to the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

We are close to Westfield WI, so further north and west of Horicon. We didn't have any nesting real close to us until this pair came. We saw them pair up, they do this dance that was really neat to watch. This will be their third year here. I was so thrilled to see them this morning! They are the first migratory birds that I've seen back. Glad they survived their travels. Last year I visited the international crane foundation. They do amazing work there. There is always an ad in the local paper in spring asking for volunteer counters. I hope to be able to participate this year. Their population in our area is doing well. Next to the loon I love their call the best. Expect robins and red winged blackbirds to follow soon after the cranes.

Kendra2, I've got to admit that sort of sight never gets old or less of a treasure to me. The amount of cranes coming over gives me hope, too, that their numbers are increasing. That day I saw all the circling I would guess I was seeing somewhere in the range of 300+ birds. That's just one of many times I've heard them, so it's really encouraging. I can't spend all day craning my neck to watch the birds go over, but I wish I could - the Wood storks don't make a real identifiable 'call' (some hoarse croaking, kind of, occasionally) and we've had them fly over low enough before to identify, so I'm hoping and wondering if I'm missing them this year. Still would love to know if anyone has seen that behavior or if it is taking advantage of a thermal. You know how it is... curiosity killed the cat. :) Ging