Sandhill Crane Family

Hubby wanted to take his new Pickup for a drive so we drove to Sauvie Island. It turned out to be a beautiful day and we say lots of great birds. There were at least 40 Sandhill Cranes in a field just minutes after we crossed the bridge.......Yay!......I was hoping we would see some of our welcome visitors on the Island. These four Cranes looked like they were a nice little family; Daddy is probably the one with the ruffled feathers. At one time the Sandhill Crane were scare but now we see them every year in the winter. I think they are a striking bird with their bright red head and long legs. They seem to be social birds; I have never seen one alone. They are usually in the company of other birds including ducks, geese and egrets.....these were near a large group of Pintail Ducks. 

Later we saw Kestrels, Hawks, Eagles, Swans, Mergansers, Cormorants, Geese, Red Wing Blackbirds, Starlings, and more Ducks. The skies were blue, then they were gray......but no rain. Like I said it was a lovely day. I will be coming back to the Island again soon!!!  It is only a 20 minute drive from home.....so why not?