Sandhill Crane (left, smaller, and closer to me) follows Whooping Crane in for landing .. Whooper wasn't having it!

[Bo Zarts]

The Whooping Crane initiated a wave-off at about 10 feet off the ground, and the whole gaggle (4 Whoopers and 4 Sandhills) executed a clumsy go-around. The lead Whooping Crane was not happy with the smaller Sandhills tagging along at suppertime. Words were exchanged. Harsh words.

Aransas NWR - Texas Coast - February 2026

©2026 Bo Zarts Studio

[Clouds Passing]

1. I love the sound of a flock of Sandhill Cranes. Great shot Bo!

[3catwoman3]

3. To me, they sound like rusty hinges on an ancient cast iron gate...

...in serious need of being oiled.

In the pediatric office from which I retired, we had a back room where we did our charting. It had floor to ceiling windows that looked out on the very pastoral surroundings, and a private door for employees. Sandhill cranes hung out in the surrounding area, and often came quite close to the windows. When they timed it right, sometimes our little patients could see them as the staff nurses were escorting them to the exam rooms. The cranes were taller than many of the kiddies.

One day, during a lunch break, I thought someone was knocking on the private door. When I looked up, it was one of the sandhill cranes tapping on a window with its bill.

[Clouds Passing]

6. Sounds lovely as your work environment

One day I was walking my dog at the edge of the forest. In the field a large flock of Sandhills were standing. In the forest were hundreds of crows in the trees. The cranes were squawking loudly in unison. When they quieted down the crows began cawing even louder. They went back and forth taking turns singing as my pup and i stood quietly for an hour listening in awe. Magical moment.

[3catwoman3]

7. "Sounds lovely as your work environment."

It was quite lovely. An uncommonly pretty site for a hospital and complex of medical office buildings - lots of green space, loads of tall trees, and a manmade pond with fountains and cattails that was populated with swans every summer. Some organization supplied a mated pair of swans every season, who would produce offspring that we could watch mature. There is a paved walking path around the pond. Our practice was so busy that I usually didn't have time for a walk during lunch because I was always trying to get my morning charting done before our afternoon started, but I did enjoy it when the rare opportunity presented itself.

If you are curious enough, look for Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington IL on line and you can find some images.

I felt very fortunate to be in such pretty surroundings.

[SheltieLover]

2. Excellent pix, Bo!

Ty for sharing with us!

[mike_c]

4. outstanding!

Great photo!

[Old Crank]

5. Nice shot.

Getting 2 birds together like that.