Building flight muscles

When the wind picks up, and a chick is feeling particularly frisky, they'll start to flap their wings. Maybe they will dance a little. I take this as an indication that they are ready to RUN!!!!



















We encourage this by running with our wing (well, we only have one wing, afterall) out. I love it when they run: building their flight muscles. It won't be long before they have feathers, so they'll be able to catch the wind and fly. Nacho is already growing in his wing feathers. I wish I could show you a picture of how awkward he looks. Soon. I promise.

Weekend at Necedah

This weekend I had 2 main tasks: 1. Track wild birds and make sure their chicks are still alive, and 2. Get the chick house ready for the big move. It's official that we are moving on the 15th. Right now, that's about a week away. There's so much to do! (again)

I took a few pics with my phone from this weekend. I also took a few wildlife pics from some friends. (My camera's supposed to arrive soon! It's going to be so much better!)

This first one I took when I arrived at the Refuge. The frog wasn't super excited to be in my hand, but he stayed there long enough to get a good camera phone shot. That either says that he was really scared, or he was enjoying the heat of my hand.
















This is a porcupine hogging the two-track. Talk about a slowpoke!
















The chicks up there are almost getting as big as Nacho! These two were such good parents, the chick would walk back and forth between the parents as they alternatively offered him goodies from the swamp.

Not getting attached!

I know we're not supposed to get attached to these cranes. They're wild animals. They are really vicious in the wild (I've seen scars that birds from previous years left on their former 'crane mommies').

But I LOVE baby Saganaki!!!!!!!!

I can't help it.

He runs everywhere! he's go so much enthusiasm for life. The other day I left his run, turned around and looked in on him from the spyglass, and he was dancing around! Hopping and stumbling, he had his wings out to balance himself, happy as can be.

He stopped for a little, looked down at his water dish, put both feet in the bowl, bent down to drink. Then he got up and started dancing around again. I just can't stand how cute he is.

He makes me giggle like a little girl. :D

Why do you keep following me?!

Growing Up

Last night was a milestone for the chicks.

The oldest, Nacho, was given access to a protected yard outside for the night! I'm not sure how much he was really out in the yard, but he could've gone out there at any time he wanted. He's all grown up!

*sniff*

On a side note, it's time for us to stop babying these chicks! We're leaving for Necedah in 2 weeks, this means that they have to be able to eat outside, forage for real (not just peck the ground beside us to imitate our actions), sleep outside in July weather, and start exhibiting crane behavior.

It's so exciting!

Setbacks and silver linings

I have officially lost my camera. Well, I didn't lose it... but I DID drop it in the water. I dropped it by accident, I swear!

I was trying to take a cute video of little Saganaki foraging. Imagine his surprise when a huge silver object comes falling out of his parent into the water a few feet away. At that moment I had conflicting needs to act: 1. hide the camera from the crane, and 2. remove the camera from the water. So acted in the above order. I stepped in front of it, then picked it up.

At least now I have a justifiable reason to get a new/better camera!!!!! Hooray!!!!

Roquefort cuteness

I was watching Roquefort eat food in the yard from behind when I saw a slight movement in his tail feathers. He was pushing out his butt every time he took a bite! So of course I had to take a video!!!! enjoy :D