Sandhill Cranes

I managed to catch part of a flock of Sandhill Cranes as they flew directly over me while I was visiting the south Texas coast last weekend.  There were hundreds of the birds in each flock and we saw at least 7 or 8 flocks heading for the marshes surrounding the Lower Laguna Madre bay system.  The Sandhills migrate from Canada and Alaska this time of year to winter in the rice fields west of Houston and the marsh lands of the southern Texas coast. These beautiful birds not only eat aquatic life, but also dine on small animals, insects, grain, green shoots and berries.  They stand four feet high and have a wingspread of nearly 7 feet.  They are sometimes mistaken for the Blue Heron, but the bare red skin on the crown and bustle of fluffy feathers distinguish it from the Heron. I feel very fortunate to have been at the coast to witness their annual migration.