Flight of Sandhill Cranes

(Grus canadensis)

This group is just a small part of a huge flock that flew overhead during our first afternoon at Brooks Camp. The overflight was preceded by a noise—unlike anything I've ever heard—that got louder and louder. Finally it became obvious that it was coming from overhead, and there they were! I took a couple of grab shots and two were acceptable. Quite amazing creatures, these cranes have a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet! I count 77 birds in the wider-angle image below and that is still just a fraction of the total flock.

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