I haven’t been blogging as often as usual because we’ve been doing some massive construction on our house. The builder didn’t properly seal a part of our roof when the house was built back in 2001. This spring we discovered lots of wood rot in a second-story wall, and we ended up having the entire wall pulled out and rebuilt. Needless to say, it’s been an adventure! I haven’t touched my camera in weeks. But as soon as the stucco was applied to our new wall, the neighborhood inspectors showed up to check it out…
![Inspection! iPhone image courtesy of Rich](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Inspection.jpg?resize=500%2C373)
It was a family of four Sandhill Cranes — two adults and two juveniles. Note that the above photo was taken by Rich on his iPhone. I loved how the wide-angle lens captures the inquiring look of the bird. Rich said to point out that even an iPhone can take good pictures!
![Family-of-Four---Sandhill-Cranes_Backyard_201406111_copyrightJessYarnell](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Family-of-Four-Sandhill-Cranes_Backyard_201406111_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?resize=500%2C333)
I grabbed my bigger camera and followed the cranes down to the pond, where they began feeding in a nice dirt pit. It’s such fun to see a family of four. So often one or both of the babies doesn’t survive the first few weeks of life. I quietly told these parents that they were very good parents. In response, they continued to feed their young ones!
![Juvenile Sandhill Crane Head Shot](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Sandhill-Crane-Juvenile-Head-Shot_Backyard_201406111_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?resize=500%2C333)
Sandhill Cranes are a joy to be around. They are very protective of their tiny babies, who grow to be almost as tall as their parents within a few short weeks. But the family will stay together for almost a year. Although the juveniles are fully capable of feeding themselves, the parents continue to offer tasty morsels at regular intervals. The kids are willing to accept – after all, why look for your own food when Mom and Dad will do it for you? :)
![Wing Stretch](https://i0.wp.com/www.blog.catandturtle.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Wing-Stretch_Backyard_201406111_copyrightJessYarnell.jpg?resize=500%2C386)
If these juveniles aren’t yet flying, they are very close to doing so. After their grub snack, they headed off down the road, and the juveniles started flapping their wings. I half expected them to take off flying. Maybe soon I will see them soaring over the house…hopefully they will let me take a picture or two! :)
One thought on “Inspection Time!”
Too cute! How appropriate that they came by to check out the contractors work … LOL
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