While the parents never seemed to mind me taking pictures of the baby, they were never far away. That's Mother coming up behind the baby as he was getting a drink of water at 3 weeks.
By one month, the youngster had developed some nice long legs.
This photo was taken at exactly two months. Wasn't be beautiful? I have a whole line of products featuring this image which I call "Wanna Hear Me Whistle?" Two of the items are pictured at the right, a mug and a pink tee shirt. More information on these and other items can be found at the store site at the top of this page labeled "Hear Me Whistle Crane."
Sandhill Cranes (Continued): Early in the morning on Day Three, Baby Sandhill slipped off the nest and followed Dad to the bank. Mom was still setting on egg number two, but would give up later in the day and leave the nest. She had been getting up every once in a while and looking and pushing the egg around. I think she knew it wouldn't hatch.
At the right, on Day Five the family walked together around the edge of the pond.
This photo taken at six months, shows Baby on the right and Mother on the left. His red head pattern is almost filled in. Dad was standing a few feet away watching.
At four months, he has just a hint of the red head pattern that he will have as an adult. He's about two-thirds the size of the female adult.
Above, is the Baby at 8 months. He's now larger than his mother and almost as big as his father. His coloration has filled out completely. The three still act as a family unit.