Sandhill Crane on the Nest with Eggs in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on June 7, 2020

One of my birding stops today in Milwaukee County was checking out a reported Sandhill Crane on a nest. From a distance I watched a Sandhill Crane on the nest and on a few occasions the bird stood up and rolled the eggs over. I have never seen this before, it was very exciting to watch. Two birds have been rotating sitting on the eggs, I only saw one today. Rolling over the eggs was one thing but then the bird has to get comfortable in sitting back on the eggs after rolling. It took a couple of times to get comfy after the rolling over was done. Cranes roll the egg over as it serves to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the egg membrane from sticking to the shell. I heard this is the second try for this couple to try for young as the first attempt the eggs were washed away from flooding. It was a beautiful June day with cool temps to start the day, some sun came mid-morning. Images were taken on June 7, 2020.

The eggs…

Sitting back on the nest and eggs…

Sandhill Crane sitting on the nest…

Rolling over the eggs…

Standing tall, on the nest, like taking a break I would say…

A little preening…

More rolling of the eggs….

Sitting back on the nest and eggs…

The eggs…the second one is a little hard to see…

Just another shot, sitting on the nest with eggs…

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

6 Responses to Sandhill Crane on the Nest with Eggs in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on June 7, 2020

  1. Mary Jo Selinsky says:

    What an education, Jim. Thank you for sharing. I love seeing the Sandhill Cranes when I get a rare chance. Even though they have such a croaking “honk”, they’re beautiful birds. It’s so good to see that they are coming back from extinction.
    Mary Jo

  2. Julie Woodcock says:

    How fortunate you were to witness this behaviour. Sad that some nesting birds lost eggs due to flooding this spring. Thank you for sharing you beautiful photos.
    Julie

  3. Julie Hebda says:

    Beautiful photos. I am blessed to have at least a dozen in my neighborhood. We have a pair that visit our backyard almost daily. This year I was distraught because it appeared it lost it’s mate. It would peck at it’s reflection on our walkout window or our gazing ball. Have not seen it the past few weeks, our backyard visitor, I am hoping it found a companion. I live on a golf course in South Lyon, MI.
    Thank you, Julie

  4. Veronica says:

    I heard a crane yesterday morning! I couldn’t see it but I knew I heard one. I was in my backyard.
    I got so excited. I am a member of the ICF and am a lovers of the big birds. How wonderful to know they are coming back.

  5. Kathi Johnson Rock says:

    Great images Jim! Thanks!!

  6. Mary says:

    Nice to meet you today! Thanks for the wonderful pics!

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