A month ago the Sandhill Cranes moved into the areas of the Kankankee that I frequent. The marsh vibrated with the sounds of their calls. The wings of hundreds of these big birds seemed to create their own wind as they circled the marsh, came down to the ground, and then took off again in the joy of having arrived.

The other day I was back and things had calmed down. Now a small group of cranes walked back and forth grazing on small crustaceans that could be picked out of the mud. In the distance a pair of Swans, some Mallards, Woodducks, and the usual Canadian Geese shared the marsh with the cranes. Hopefully babies for all will arrive some day soon. I'll let you know when they do.