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The Washtenaw Voice

November 4, 2013

Living Dinosaurs

ROBERT CONRADI THE WASHTENAW VOICE

Sandhill Cranes forage in a wetland north of Cavanaugh Lake Road, west of Chelsea.

andhill Cranes have been called living dinosaurs. Many of these amazing birds make their home in Michigan and can be seen here in abundance during October and November. During their fall migration, thousands of cranes forage in southern Michigan and gather at night in roosting areas. Some of these roosting areas are in Washtenaw and Jackson counties. Sandhill Cranes stand up to fourfeet tall with a wingspan that can exceed six feet. This time of year they are a slate gray color with a distinctive red patch on their heads. In autumn, many bird enthusiasts visit Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Audubon Sanctuary east of Jackson to view the evening arrival of these birds. During the day, cranes may be found feeding in area farm elds and wetlands or in public parks such as Kensington Metro Park. Cranes are the oldest known species of bird and crane-like fossils date back nearly to the era that dinosaurs last roamed the earth. Some think of them as a Tyrannosaurus rex with feathers. The call of a Sandhill Crane carries a long distance. Their loud articulated croaking sound evokes pterodactyls soaring in the Jurassic sky.

photos and words by robert conradi

ROBERT CONRADI THE WASHTENAW VOICE

Sandhill cranes come in for a landing at Haehnle Sanctuary after sunset.

ROBERT CONRADI THE WASHTENAW VOICE

ROBERT CONRADI THE WASHTENAW VOICE

Sandhill crane at Kensington Metro Park near Brighton.

Near dusk, the cranes y into the sanctuary.