The Babe is Born!

That’s right! We are now the witnesses (and I am the helicopter grandmother) of a brand new, bright golden, baby sandhill crane! I can’t tell you how excited I was when I realized that both parents were hovering around the nest most of the day yesterday, and then suddenly—voila!—there was the baby!

I’ve never followed the nesting of sandhill cranes before, and it was quite a delightful experience. We looked out every day, several times per day, to see who was on nesting duties. Sometimes, during the day, I would hear Papa Crane calling out in his ear-splitting voice, watching him stand next to the nest, calling Mama Crane to get her butt over there so he could get something to eat. Sometimes she showed up right away; sometimes she didn’t. (I don’t know if she was outside of earshot or if she was hanging out with the girls.)

About halfway through the nesting period, we got some heavy rains, and as often happens, the pond rose higher and threatened the nest. Both Mama and Papa collaborated on making a new nest farther up the bank, assuring that the egg would be protected.

I also did some research on the number of eggs they lay, and it turns out that only one egg might be laid. I’d rather think they ended up with one baby and it was normal, rather than assume that a hungry alligator ate the other one for breakfast.

Meanwhile, in the light of the late afternoon, I was pretty sure there was a baby in sight, but I couldn’t see it with the naked eye. When I got out my binoculars, there was that little fluff ball, waving its wings, just as cute as could be. This morning, with the sun shining on its golden feathers, I could see it plainly across the pond. Mama and Papa stayed close, demonstrating how to find breakfast and offering it an occasional nibble.

Can you tell how excited I am?? I don’t expect them to stay near the nest very long. The lawn mower fellows put up stakes and a ribbon to mark off the area so that they didn’t run over the nest. But they are not very protected. Sandhill cranes do revisit their old nest areas to build for the next year, but since this spot was not very secluded, I don’t know whether I’ll see them again. I sure hope I do.

I love being a helicopter grandmother.