Was feeding this wild crane sunflower seeds. It is amazing how gentle they are with their long beaks. We are lucky to be able to get so close to wild cranes here. In Saskatchewan I used to watch flocks of thousands of birds and sometimes they had a Whooping Crane with them. I Loved to hear their distinctive call with thousands of Cranes trumpiting it's really something amazing. In the spring in Vancouver we have a few pairs that mate but rarley does the colt survive into adulthood on any of the lower mainland locations.They sure have it hard out there....
In spring I love to watch the mated pairs doing their incredible dance. It's beautiful and one of nature's works of art.
Tags: portrait Ladner BC delta George C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary Reifel sandhill crane adult Antigone canadensis crane sandhill elegant nature is art
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It is always a thrill to see these critically endangered birds in Canada. This was the first day I saw Whoopers on my trip later on I would be lucky enough to see 157 in one day and 126 in one spot. This is a new record for Saskatchewan and I believe North America. It was totally moving to see 1/3rd of the world's Whooping Crane population in one spot. There is 431 Whooping Cranes currently in the world. We counted 5 juveniles in this large flock. The whole flock is not pictured here.
Tags: Whooping Cranes whcr saskatchewan sk cranes endangered critically endangered endangered species Grus americana
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It is always a thrill to see these critically endangered birds in Canada. This was the first day I saw Whoopers on my trip later on I would be lucky enough to see 157 in one day and 126 in one spot. This is a new record for Saskatchewan and I believe North America. It was totally moving to see 1/3rd of the world's Whooping Crane population in one spot. There is 431 Whooping Cranes currently in the world. We counted 5 juveniles in this large flock.
Tags: Whooping Cranes whcr saskatchewan sk cranes endangered critically endangered endangered species Grus americana
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On the last day before my flight I came back to view the cranes.
They were still in the same general area but now in flight displaying their beautiful black primaries. Note even the juvenile has the primaries of the adult.
Tags: whooping cranes whoopers cranes adults juveniles baby adult saskatchewan rare prairies canada Grus americana flying flight unbanded
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Found 3 Critically Endangered Whooping Cranes in Saskatchewan. Two Adults and one Juvenile. It is extremely rare to find them this late in the year first of all and second in Canada you usually don't get close to them like you do in Texas usually you get distant scope views. This family group let me approach within 200m. I did not push it further than that in order not to flush them as they have a long journey ahead. I was in awe when they started to vocalize which is extremely rare to hear they are usually silent up here! I have never been this close to Whooping Cranes in my life! Being this close to the tallest birds in North America is pretty special! I was very lucky as they should be leaving by next week at the latest! This was a day I will never ever forget!
Tags: critically endagered rare Whooping Cranes adults juvenile baby adult Saskatchewan endangered Grus americana cranes whoopers unforgettable magic canada tallest bird north america unbanded
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