Snow on the nest on 4/11
The rain this week has given me time to organize a lot of photos.. Sorry that it has taken me so long to get to this post… I had lots and lots of shots to cull…. I had not planned on going to the Sandhill Crane nest on April 11th because the forecast was for rain in the morning. But …. I woke up early and looked out the window to see everything coated in a gorgeous coating of snow! About an inch had fallen and stuck like glue to every possible surface - even in the darkness I knew if it didn’t melt this would be my chance to finally see snow on the nest… I immediately checked to see if the roads were in good shape for driving and they were so I hurried as fast as I could to get my gear and get ready. Thankfully I had awakened early enough and I had the time to get it all together and still get to Ashfield before the sun came up.
My drive at dawn to Ashfield was like driving through a black and white postcard - I cannot describe how beautiful it was. Needless to say I was the only one on the roads and I just felt like each view along the way was more beautiful than the one before. As soon as I got to my little parking area near the swamp I hopped out of the car and was on my way. Everything was so still and gorgeous I decided to take my phone out and make a short video for you as I was heading into the woods to get to the back of the swamp… just stunning…
I was hustling as fast as I could through the woods to get to my spot. It was starting to snow again - this was just so special. As soon as I arrived I honestly thought - this is like a dream it is so beautiful. I had just set up when I looked up to see this gorgeous merganser making its way across the open water in the swamp in the middle of this winter wonderland. .
I had never spotted the other one but before I knew it they were heading out together!
And there on the nest was the female…. honestly, this brought tears to my eyes…
And then she stood - I knew my chances were next to zero to see the egg(s) and I was right - no luck, but wow.
I figured the male would be to my left (one of their favorite spots when the other is on the nest) and there he was…
Then I checked in on her again…
Stretching her legs again… usually means it is time to roll the eggs or that he will join her near the nest and do their amazing duet call with one another… I was hoping….
Then I saw him in motion…. moving further away from the female…
He then turned to look back and check on her….
And he made his way back quickly as she started their duet! He is the one coming up from behind on the left….
And here it is the duet on a snowy morning in April in Ashfield….! Absolute unforgettable!
The duet was cut short as the male took off to my left as a goose had come too close to the nest!
Sorry that I missed the goose in these shots but I was so focused on him I didn’t zoom out enough to capture the cause of all of this ruckus!
The goose was properly chastised for the time being… now it was time for the male to enjoy a well earned sip of water…
And she was resting comfortably back on the nest….
He was back to standing guard and shaking out of his feathers….
And it was now time for me to leave…. By the time I left the woods and got back to my car the snow was starting to melt. When I pulled into my driveway 40 minutes later there was hardly a snowflake anywhere - it was like a dream..