All of the Sandhill Cranes on these pages are of the same family group that lives around the pond out back of our house in Lake County, Florida.

The Sandhill Cranes, standing about four feet in height, are one of the more numerous large wading birds in Florida. They can also be found in several western and southern states and as far north as the remote Arctic. Anyone who has heard the cry of a Sandhill Crane will not forget it nor will it be easily confused with another bird’s cry. It is extremely loud and croaking.

I had thought I had identified which was which in our resident pair -- the female being the smaller. It was confirmed this spring when I saw her rise off the nest after laying her egg.

Although I refer to this family of Sandhill Cranes as being "ours" or our "resident" cranes, they are certainly not tame birds. They are very much a part of our wild nature. They only allow those of us who live around the pond to observe them from a distance and enjoy their beauty.