a life-list first: sandhill cranes
As the result of a posting on Facebook (in New Brunswick Birders), my husband and I took a drive to the Canaan Forks area of New Brunswick to see if we could see any of the sandhill cranes spotted there. We had given up on finding them and were on the road out of the area when my husband spotted two in a field between us and the river. I wish I was a better photographer: they were so elegant and deliberate, walking the edge of the field. As they walked and fed, their legs and necks were in a strange sort of synchrony. They appear quite ‘muscular’ and could be confused with a deer if their heads are down feeding.
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Both birds had the red patch on the front of the head. They stayed together, turning to retrace their steps when they came to a small ditch between fields.
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The sandhill crane (Antigone canadensis) can now be added to my life list!!!!!
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Have fun watching the birds now returning from their migrations!
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All my best,
Jane
nichepoetryandprose 
What a wonderful experience, Jane and Glen.
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Michele L Tremblay
April 29, 2024 at 10:29 am
Yes, especially since after a couple of hours of looking, we did not expect to see the birds. Such a calming experience, watching them walk the edge.
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jane tims
April 30, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Janie. These are amazing! We thought that watching the cardinals near us was something special.
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gspavold
April 22, 2024 at 7:24 am
If you have seen cardinals, you have one on me!!!! Yes, it was a great experience. Large birds, so slow-moving. Nice to hear from you here!!!!!
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jane tims
April 30, 2024 at 10:27 pm
Congratulations on finding a new life bird, Jane! It was wonderful you got a chance to watch them feeding together for a while. What a treat!
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Barbara Rodgers
April 22, 2024 at 7:20 am
Hi Barbara! Yes, thanks to my husband. I would never have seen them if I was alone. The birds interacted with one another quite specifically, turning at the same time to reverse their direction. Another for the life list!
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jane tims
April 30, 2024 at 10:29 pm
Oh wow, I had no idea there were sand cranes here. Awesom
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Jane Fritz
April 21, 2024 at 11:22 pm
The maps show they do not get this far north and east, but this is at least the second year they have been seen in the Canaan Forks area. I am so happy to have seen them!
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jane tims
April 21, 2024 at 11:24 pm