Sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis) are one of my favorite birds to see when I’m on an outing. They’re so graceful in the way that they move (most of the time) and they are very socially interactive birds. When a group flies over a group on the ground, they always communicate with each other. The bonded pairs are incredibly affectionate with each other during the breeding season, and they are amazing parents to their young. Out of the breeding season they form large flocks that feed together, travel together, and roost together. Except for competition for mates, the birds generally seem to get along well. So when we ran into this sandhill pair with their little colt at Sweetwater Wetland Preserve, it was exciting to get to watch them interact with each other and with the colt. I was also very pleased to get this closeup portrait of one of the parents.