Kip’s Comments - April 2, 2024 — LadagePhotography.com

How I Must Have Looked

This past Sunday evening I explained how four of us attempted to capture an injured sandhill crane in a wet, cattail-thick swampy area during the dark of night. We were not successful, but agreed to watch for the bird.

Here we are, two days later, and two of us saw the bird today. One of us was smart about their observation. Me… maybe not so much.

Seeing the bird walking with its left wing dangling was troubling. Between the pain of the trauma and likely the infection the bird is exposed to in the mucky conditions, the bird can hardly be comfortable. I want mercy for the bird - either through capture and rehab or timely euthanasia if that is the best option.

As we were going to do the other night (capture), I was hoping to capture the crane today. Consider if you will a person running in an attempt to catch a four and a half foot tall bird that is running faster to get away. I can only imagine how this escapade appeared - like a Monte Python “Twit of the Year” event, or someone attempting to win a Darwin Award, or maybe just a goofy appearing nature program segment - maybe Jim Fowler running while Marlin Perkins narrates on Wild Kingdom. Regardless of which description is chosen, I am sure it looked foolish.

You may have already guessed that the crane quickly outran me. I am not sure what is next. I am concerned that the stress of a chase and capture may be more than the crane can handle. At this time I am waiting for guidance before I do any more capture attempts.

By the way - the crane was not alone. At least four other sandhill cranes were near the injured crane.

Note: The pictures are not of the highest quality. I was shooting through rain and at a distance.