Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Sandhill Crane

To have the chance to visit Waterton Lakes National Park in June was such an absolute treat, but to be able to visit this beautiful region again one month later was just incredible. I think I've only ever been maybe five or so times in the 37 years that I've lived here, so you can imagine my delight to get two chances in one year!! Actually, I signed up for the July trip a while ago and, though there were some aspects of the three-day trip that I wasn't particularly keen on, I knew this was a wonderful chance to go down south. Then, some time later, friend Sandy asked if I wanted to go down to Waterton in June for the Botany Alberta weekend. So, lucky, lucky me!! Just got back home early yesterday evening (19 July 2015) from this second visit, 17-19 July 2015. Again, wonderful to be surrounded by such magnificent scenery, go on a few pleasantly slow walks with plenty of time to look for, and photograph, wildflowers, insects, and a few birds. Lots of great company with people I already knew and lots of new faces, too. The trip was organized by Nature Calgary. Everyone was free to go wherever they wanted each day, but for the two nights, we stayed at the very basic Canyon Church Camp, off the Red Rock Parkway. Dorm-style cabins (about which I will say nothing, lol!), but they do have showers and even flush toilets at the camp. We were fed so well - lots of variety and good food. We were given two breakfasts and two suppers, plus a packed lunch for the two days. Our thanks go out to the lady (can't remember her name, sorry) who cooked and prepared these meals for us! They were so much enjoyed and greatly appreciated! Our first day, which included the drive from Calgary, it rained all day long. Thankfully, the remaining two days were beautiful and sunny, and appreciated even more because of the first rainy day. This day, we drove around Waterton town, calling in at Cameron Falls and then driving to Red Rock Canyon. We did the short walk along both sides of the canyon, in the rain, so it was pretty much useless as far as taking photos was concerned. I was happy to see a Swainson's Thrush, the first time I had seen one close. One of my favourite plants that we saw this trip was Water Hemlock - though I had seen it before, I had never seen it this close and in such detail. The bees and other insects love it, too, with several insects on many of the flower heads. This attractive plant is one of the most deadly poisonous plants in North America. Two other plants that I was thrilled to see were Pink Monkeyflower and Yellow Monkeyflower. I had never seen these wildflowers before. Pearly Everlasting, False Helebore, Fringed Grass-of-Parnassus, Foam Flower, and Thimbleberry were just a few of the other plants we found. We were amazed at how many orchids there were - everywhere. Later on the second day, we called in at Red Rock Canyon again and, because it was absolutely packed with people, we decided to do the Blakiston Falls Trail (2 km return). Along this trail, I was thrilled to see a few Pinedrops plants in flower - I had only ever seen them once before, and they were in seed. Thanks so much, Debbie, for the heads-up about these plants, that you had found earlier! We also saw a couple of Prince's Pine plants along this trail - a first for me. They look rather like Pink Pyrola, so could easily be overlooked. Later, in the evening on this day, Andrew Hart took us to look at the wetland area of Maskinonge for Sandhill Cranes. He knew they can be seen there and, with the help of a spotting scope, he found a total of 7 seen from two lookouts. Barely visible with the naked eye, they were so far away. I just managed to get a 48x zoomed shot that was kind of fit to post : ) Andrew had also timed it so that we could drive along Chief Mountain Parkway afterwards, stop at the lookout and watch the sunset over the mountain peaks. The following morning, our last, some of us visited Cameron Lake again and then walked along the very short Akamina Lake trail (only 1 km) that starts from the Cameron Lake parking lot. A beautiful little trail, where we found two Bear Grass plants still in flower, but well past their prime. Also watched a rather thin deer making her way along the edge of the lake. A lovely walk to end our stay in Waterton Lakes National Park. Thanks so much, Darlene, for letting us do this, knowing that we needed to start driving north to Calgary. Thank you SO much, too, for driving three of us to and from Calgary and around the park some of the time, too. To say that we appreciated it is a huge understatement!! Our thanks, too, to Andrew for organizing this trip so brilliantly! A great time was had by all.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a closer shot of this Sandhill Crane or one without fencing in the background when a group of us had the privilege to visit the Calgary Zoo Ranch, just south of the city, on October 8th. They were at the far side of their enclosure and there is only maybe a foot-wide view through the fencing (and too many photographers with long lenses, lol!) - the rest of the fence is covered so that exposure to human beings is reduced to an absolute minimum. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Zebra. Tremendous work is being done there to breed these endangered species, especially the fascinating Whooping Crane. These birds are kept in enclosures and any interaction with the staff is done using white "Crane costumes". The Whooping Crane's lifespan is estimated to be 22 to 24 years in the wild. The Sandhill Cranes can be given Whooping Crane eggs to hatch, which seems to work very well. Many thanks to Crane Keeper, Dwight Knapik for showing us around for the afternoon and filling us with so much interesting information.

Cropped to get rid of the metal fencing, but I couldn't avoid the shadow of it. A group of us had the privilege of seeing very rare Whooping Cranes as well as Sandhill Cranes at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, also known as the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre, located about 10 kilometers south of Calgary near DeWinton. Taken on October 8th. I have seen Sandhill Cranes in the wild three or four times, but always so far in the distance. Much as I wish this bird was flying free and could be photographed in the wild, its captivity does allow us to see it in close detail. Just love their beautiful, orange eyes. Also, sometimes these Sandhill Cranes are given the rare Whooping Cranes' eggs to hatch at the Ranch, which is a very valuable service.

I had never seen a Sandhill Crane swimming before, so it came as a surprise when I found two of them taking a swim in a pond at the Calgary Zoo. Taken on 8th October 2010.

This was the first time I had seen a Sandhill Crane swimming, so it felt quite strange. Taken on a pond at the Calgary Zoo more than a year ago, on 8th October 2010. The handful of Sandhill Cranes that I have seen in the wild were either very high up in flight or on land far, far away.

This Sandhill Crane was living in captivity at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, in an enclosure near the Whooping Cranes, just south of the city. A group of us had the privilege of visiting this place that is doing tremendous work in conservation. In 1985, the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre (DWCC) opened. Known as the "Zoo Ranch," this land south of Calgary is home to the breeding facilities for the endangered Whooping Cranes, Vancouver Island Marmots, Przwalksi wild horses and Grevy's Zebra. I have been lucky enough to see three or four Sandhill Cranes in the wild, but never a Whooping Crane. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhill_Crane

What an afternoon outing I had with a friend on Monday! Not only did we see a Moose and a herd of Elk, but we were also thrilled to see this solitary Sandhill Crane north west of the city. We sat in the car and scanned the lake but saw nothing and were about to drive away when I suddenly spotted some movement amongst the bushes and dried grasses. Sure enough, it was exactly what we had hoped to find! It was far, far away, hidden by the bushes, but did come out into the open for a few brief moments. Though this is an 18x zoomed and heavily cropped image, I'm so happy to get any photo at all :) Thanks especially to my friend for driving and to Ron for telling me about these birds in the first place! This is the first Sandhill Crane I've seen in the wild, other than a couple that were flying so high a few years ago. talkaboutwildlife.ca/profile/?s=91

We had the privilege on Saturday of seeing very rare Whooping Cranes as well as Sandhill Cranes at the Calgary Zoo Ranch, known as the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre, located about 10 kilometers south of Calgary near DeWinton. This particular bird pulled a downy feather from its body and kept putting its bill through the fence. Almost seemed like an offering - but not a wise thing to accept, as that beak is long and very pointed, LOL! I love the colour of their eyes! I dislike taking photos with wire fences included, but there was no way I was going to poke my lens through the fence, LOL! "The Zoo ranch is a 320-acre captive breeding facility, and is not open to the public. The ranch also serves as a Zoo quarantine and holding area for everything from elk to zebras.

Though I have seen one Sandhill Crane flying high overhead outside the city, I had to get this close-up at the Zoo! The Calgary Zoo also has a ranch outside the city for it's breeding programs, etc., and they have Sandhill Cranes there, too.