Sandhill Cranes, a Gift to Savor

While driving my car one afternoon I happened to catch sight of a pair of Sandhill Cranes flying over head.  They have a distinct appearance.  In flight, their big sleek bodies are parallel to the horizon with necks in pin-straight alignment (unlike a heron which tucks its neck into a half loop) and feet point behind like Superman.  The pair of cranes that I observed were beginning to descend for landing.  I had never witnessed this event before.  There have been numerous occasions where I have been able to see them standing in a field or along the road side.  Their flying over head is not foreign to me either.  But to watch the process of them floating to the ground today was a rare treat.

A farmer’s driveway was pointing into the field where the cranes were approaching for their landing.  I signaled left to pull my car into the drive and parked with plenty of time left over to focus my binoculars in the birds’ direction.  The Sandhill Cranes would fly in their horizontal style for a bit and then transform their bodies to a vertical position.  This made them look like long-necked chickens with broad bottoms and feet dangling hip width apart.  The cranes scooped their wings to softly float and appeared to be graceful parachuters.  The creatures’ descent was a pleasant and lengthy process.  It was truly lovely to see these big birds suspend in the air.  

Sandhill Cranes have become some what common place to me, as have Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles.  Once upon a time, not that long ago, it was a celebrated moment to witness one of these rare birds.  I want to be careful not to take for granted the gifts that we have.  It is important to relish the simple things that happen often.  I am certain there is a Sandhill Crane that lands in a field somewhere everyday.  But I should not dismiss the event for being ordinary.  Rather, I desire to savor the moment and be thankful.  Who knows when, or if, it will happen in my presence again.  Daily news reports remind us that life is fragile and precarious.  It is a blessing to be given beautiful gifts.  Even small ones.  Take great care to not squander any good thing.