Returning

The crane family stays close to the pond where the Crane Chicks hatched. Usually the cranes walk in the grassy area adjacent to the water. Yesterday Mama Crane and Papa Crane escorted the Crane Chicks to a knoll at the edge of their territory:

The Crane Chicks get exposed to threats when they wander farther from the nesting area. Some of the threats are old. Last evening, for example, Papa Crane tussled again with one of the geese; Mama Crane and the Crane Chicks watched from the shore:

After nightfall, we heard a screeching dispute in the pond. We worried that perhaps coyotes had reached the nest. The fox and the turkey vultures also came to mind.

When I got up this morning, I looked out to check on the cranes. I didn't see them in the yard. I worried at first, but then I saw they'd walked even farther than they had gone yesterday. The family was digging around for nibbles in an adjacent cornfield:

Mama Crane and Papa Crane later led the chicks back to the grass:

Soon, they settled in their familiar spot:

Sunday: the day for strolling.

They finish the daily rounds.

Verona, Wisconsin, May 10, 2015. The crane family wandered during most of the day. We wondered whether they had left permanently. Everyone has settled back into the nest just now.

I learned today that crane chicks are called "colts" because they start walking so quickly after hatching. I also learned crane chicks can grow as much as one inch each day.

Yes, I've named them: "Ruby" and ... "Amber."

A Theory

 
Verona, Wisconsin, May 10, 2015. Did the crane family decide to leave because the birds tired of the pesky red-winged blackbirds?

Here's a red-winged blackbird about to land on Mama Crane:

Here's one after it landed:

Earlier-Spring Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, May 11, 2105. We sure do miss the crane family.

The New Family

Verona, Wisconsin, May 6, 2015. Papa Crane stands guard as Mama Crane feeds the Crane Chicks.

The Life Box (Part 26)

Suburban Chicago, 1964. I create a Dad-inspired scrapbook page.

(I still use Dad's tripod. It was handy when I was photographing the crane family.)

Who's visiting the yard now.

Verona, Wisconsin, May 11, 2015. This fellow is the most interesting thing we've seen since the crane family left.

Reflective Reunion

Verona, Wisconsin, May 2015. No, the crane family has not returned. I'm just reaching back.

Gone?

We were happy the other day when the crane family returned to the nest. Yesterday, they didn't come back to the pond.

Here's how the cranes sounded during that last night we heard them:

Verona, Wisconsin, May 11, 2015. We hope they stop by again for a visit.

Waiting

Verona, Wisconsin, March 2015. Last year, the crane pair started nesting in our backyard on March 19. We're waiting to see if they return. I still wonder if something bad didn't happen to the family last year.