Sandhill Love...

Spring in Yellowstone is tough as a winter recovery period.  Although, monogamous parenting is in the air.    Unlike big game, many wild animals that fly pick a mate and stay with them for life.   These two Sandhill Cranes have made Floating Island Lake their nursery.  Technically a pond, it is prime for a nest site.  Once the eggs are laid the vigil of long hours in the same position begin.  As seen above the two are spending most their time feeding around the lake.  At all times one or the other is at guard for predators. They must have keen vision and other senses.  Several times I notice that as a large bird would fly overhead they would look up to see what it was.  

It intrigues me how these beautiful animals identify each other.  While I was there no names were shouted out.  Not even "Hey you".  There is a definite bond.  A bond so great defense from predators can extend to death for each other in that protection.   An interesting "tid bit" about Sandhill cranes is they have been known to eat their young if they see a deficiency.   Their wing span can be as wide as eight feet.  They are graceful in the air and on the ground.  

This was one of the first photo op's we had the first day in Yellowstone.