Sandhill at Cowles Bog

Rarely seen in this part of Indiana in the summer, a Sandhill Crane is hanging out in Cowles Bog. Hopefully it is raising young.  

Sandhills Overhead

Even though a group of hunters and dogs had taken over precious resting areas in the Indiana wetland, the Sandhill Cranes found another area not too far away. There were so many cranes over head this weekend that they were like stars---the more you looked at the sky the more cranes you could see---pure magic.

Over an Indiana Wetland

Over an Indiana wetland hundreds of birds fly in February and March. How do they keep from flying into each other? Where is the leader to this chaos?

Can't Get Enough of Those Cranes

More cranes---the skies and fields are full.

A True Indiana Safari...

Today, another look at the Sandhill Cranes---just a few of the hundreds. So magnificent!

The Quaking of the Marsh

The marsh's quiet wintry wait was over on Sunday as hundreds of Sandhill Cranes moved in for a rest on their migration north.

Instead of the sound of  the wind through the sedges, grass, and cattails, the sounds of the crane's croaking calls and the beat of hundreds of wings brought the marsh to life.

Away, Winter, Away!

WORSCHIPPE ye that loveris bene this May,  
For of your blisse the Kalendis are begonne,  
And sing with us, Away, Winter, away!  
Cum, Somer, cum, the suete sesoùn and sonne!  
Awake for schame! that have your hevynnis wonne,        
And amorously lift up your hedis all,  
Thank Lufe that list you to his merci call!


Spring Song of the Birds---King James I of Scotland 

Sandhill Cranes

If it would have been a sunny day, the cranes would have been high above riding the thermals; it was cloudy with a sprinkle of rain coming down. The migrating cranes, hundreds of them, flew into the marsh for a rest along their migration.     

Hundreds of these large, majestic birds can make a marsh quake; their calls to each other as they land are deafening. They take off in a flutter of wings that creates its own wind, rivaling a helicopter.

Keep an eye towards the sky as these magnificent birds make their way north through Indiana this month.