Maximum temperature today 1C, minimum -5C. Dry, but very cold; 24 km/h North Easterly chilly winds with up to 55 km/h gusts.
The moon was up and the sun was going down, the lighting was almost perfect.
The Common cranes (Grus grus) returning from Northern Africa and Spain to return to their breeding grounds, mainly situated principally in Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Baltic countries.
I was in the kitchen cooking last night when I heard the sound of them calling while in flight...
I looked out of the door and sure enough they were right over our house...
A quick run inside to get the camera and I was lucky as a second lot were following up.
Formation flying....
and a little erratic here 😊
For those that have been following our trip to Nevis the 4 and final part of our holiday is HERE.
Yay for the cranes. The geese will be back here soon too. Great photos, Diane!
ReplyDeleteAlways a good time of the year :-) Thanks Marie have a good day Diane
DeleteCranes do not respond to temperature; they respond to photoperiodism among other factors, and I suspect if you check historical records of arrival dates at given locations you will find that it differs little from year to year.
ReplyDeleteThe days getting longer also gives me hope that spring is on its way. I love seeing the cranes return, but I hate seeing them go back what ever makes them decide when to fly. Cheers Diane
DeleteThe moon looks so beautiful! And, the cranes! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thanks Sally, we have not seen a moon this year because of continual cloud cover, it was good to see that it is still there LOL Take care Diane
DeleteThis is an awesome sighting and captures.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gaelyn, lots of luck with the sighting and the lighting!! Cheers Diane
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, it is good to see them :-) Diane
DeleteIt's coming close to time for the sandhill cranes to stop in this area.
ReplyDeleteI love it when the birds start returning, but sad to see the winter birds go away. Take care Diane
DeleteHi Diane, great photos. The cranes must be very hardy, returning to breeding grounds that are still experiencing sub-zero temperatures. It is getting cooler here in the mornings now- lovely Durban Autumn weather arriving. Temperatures here ranging from 22 to 28 degrees Celcius. Keep warm. Kim
ReplyDeleteI just wonder how our little birds survive, it was -6C here this morning with a chill factor of -13C. Maximum is only -1C. A very rare winter for us here in France, so much rain and very cold. Take care Diane
DeleteThe little ones must have a built in radiator but yes, I would worry about them, poor little things!
DeleteThey are fabulous shots. They are so graceful and symmetrical. Its amazing how they form an arrow head and are the same distance apart from each other.
ReplyDeleteTheir flight formations are amazing but all for a very good reason, it saves energy, but it also gets a lot more complicated than that! Take care t'other Diane
DeleteThe birds. How nice!
ReplyDeleteThanks Aritha, I wonder if the fly over you seeing they are heading towards Eastern Europe. Take care Diane
DeleteOh you were lucky to catch the incoming second wave of cranes Diane, the light under their wings is perfect. Don't you just love it when things work out this way ☺
ReplyDeleteLuck from start to finish, does not often happen this way :-)) I have never seen them directly over the house before, but I have taken photos from the garden over next door's fields. Cheers Diane
DeleteWhat a fabulous shot of the moon! My camera is good with close-ups but I really lack a great zoom.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping the sky will be clear for the full moon but it is doubtful, the weather is changing back to grey skies again and possible rain or snow!!Love my zoom lens I use it for almost everything (including close-ups) unless I need the wide angle. Cheers Diane
DeleteYou got some fantastic shots of the moon and the cranes. I am very seldom able to get captures of birds in flight. It's fascinating to me how the birds know when it is time to go somewhere to summer or winter. Very fascinating indeed.
ReplyDelete