Dinosaurs in my backyard

[littlefrog]

Had a pair of dinosaurs in my backyard, possibly looking for a nesting site. I've heard them over the last couple days. Dinosaurs are loud.
For the past 20 years or so I see sandhill cranes a couple times a year (spring and fall) but only in increasingly large flocks migrating. They always stop for a few days in my county, taking advantage of our local corn farmers. I've never seen just a pair... Conservation success story. Maybe they can chase off some Canada geese.

 

[Ray]

Back when I was working, I had to visit a chemical plant in the desert about 40 miles SW of Lubbock TX. The plant drew brine out of underground lakes to extract sodium sulfate, which is about 80% of laundry detergent powders. One of the byproducts was ultra-pure water. If there was a trace of rust, they would dump the extracted materials back on the dry lakebeds and direct the hot water over it so it would dissolved and percolate back to the underground lakes.

The plant was in the Pacific Northwest-Gulf of Mexico flyway, and apparently brine shrimp eggs from the birds legs populated the salt ponds, attracting more birds. As far as I'm aware, it is the only chemical plant in the world that is a registered bird sanctuary.

To make a long story short - every spring and fall, flocks of 10,000-20,000 sandhill cranes stopped there on their way. Talk about impressive (and loud)!

 

[big923cattleya]

Funny looking Dinosaurs. But I get the implication.
I have about 4-5 weeks before I head to the rookery. Within the confines of the lake, there is a Great Blue heron colony of about 20 pair. The Sandhill Cranes nest right there in between the boardwalk and the heron rookery. I get some great shots of both species. I have had a crane walk right up and peck at the lens of my 400mm lens! I imagine it can see itself in the reflection.
That time of year, there are a few species of duck there as well. It is one of the best spots I know of to see Wood ducks!