Sandhills at Sunset

Sandhill cranes are very interesting birds. During the day they are often found out in the fields eating grains, seeds and some insects. At night instead of roosting in trees like most birds, sandhill cranes usually roost in shallow pools, ponds, lakes or rivers, as long as they can stand above the water on their long legs. The water gives them an early warning system against land based predators. During migration tens of thousands stop at the Platte River in Nebraska, eating during the day and returning to the river at night. Up at Crex Meadows it is the same situation, only on a smaller scale, as the cranes stage there for the fall migration. So as the sun begin to set if you are in the right location you can take some really cool pics.