This was an unexpected surprise on my photo excursion yesterday so let’s call this Sandhill Saturday. 😉

I headed to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and happened across three dozen of these cool cranes hanging out at one of the lakes. They were a good ways away but, given the uniqueness of seeing them on their winter migration in this area, I spent the bulk of my time with them.

I waited in the 20-degree temps, hoping to catch them in flight. And I waited. And I waited. Finally, after two-and-a-half hours they decided it was time to take off. Virtually in unison, all launched into the air and began circling to gain altitude and continue their journey to their winter home in Texas and northern Mexico. The pics aren’t anything too extraordinary but it was fun to capture something different.

Well, this was a pleasant, fun surprise yesterday.

I had just got done photographing a couple of bald eagles (naturally!) and was hiking back to my truck when I heard a rather unusual call. At first, I dismissed it as Canada geese but then realized this was something different.

Looking up, I see three separate flights of a dozen or more each of sandhill cranes. Flying straight over me wasn’t ideal but it was fun to see and I got some captures out of the event, including this one.

The cranes are now working their way to their winter homes in Texas and northern Mexico.