Sandhill Cranes

It makes me chuckle when I read about sandhill cranes being endangered.   You wouldn't know it around here.  This field has been a daily feeding ground for cranes this month.

The Enemy Continued

 The loop hole in the law.

 Dogs are free to run on our farm.

 If they just so happen to run in the general direction of the birds, who's to stop them?

 Not me!!

 These next shots are of Maggie.  She even joined in on the fun!

 Next step?    Coating the seeds with poison when planting.  Yep! 

 We're taking care of business around here!!!

The Enemy

 These guys are nothing but trouble.

 They can strip a field (of newly planted seed) clean in no time.

 They are also loud, obnoxious and not easily frightened off.

 I think they know they are a protected species.

Attention: ALL Sand Hill Cranes consider yourself warned.

 Every law has a loop hole.

 And, here at the Dismal Land and Livestock Company, we have figured out a legal way to stop you from eating us blind.

So, go find another farmer's field to feast in...  You aren't safe here!!!

   To Be Contined

The Saga of the Sandhill Cranes

Every year the Sandhill Cranes try to eat all of our newly planted kernels of corn and the tender shoots at they come out of the ground.  At $211 per bag (about 50 lbs), we can't let that happen.  Boyd spends a lot of time at that farm with his crane scaring device.  I can't post what it really is for legal reasons :)  We also take the dogs over to chase them off.  You wouldn't believe how big these birds are! Average Size Height: 4 to 5 feet. Wing Span: 6 to 7 feet. Weight: Male, 12 pounds; Female 9 1/2 pounds.  We have had about 20+ birds each night.  The bird refuge is virtually across the street from this farm and they frown upon shooting birds.  I get the whole protect the species idea, but who is going to protect our bottom line?
Enjoy the photos and if you are bored and in the neighborhood, feel free to chase them off!

The Bird Refuge Visitor Center

Notice how they go straight down the row and don't even need to search for the seed.