CRANES AT LOGAN'S LANDING

 

It was nearing sunset and I’d come to Logan’s Landing to show Northport friends the new Boardman Lake Loop Trail.  We stood on the bridge as the sky reflected golden sunset hues.

 

I heard them before I saw them, two Sandhill Cranes bugling loudly as they flew overhead, their legs straight out behind their bodies.

 

 

As the pair dropped lower in the sky, they began to fly into the orange tones of the sunset.  They looked down, as if seeking a landing spot.  I madly clicked away, hoping I was tracking them accurately with my camera.

 

 Lower they came, their legs coming down as they prepared to land, dark silhouettes against an orange-tinted sky.  It was breathtaking. 

 

 They drifted in front of the tree line, floating down towards the Boardman.

 

 Almost there!  How majestic they looked, hovering just over the water.

 

 Touchdown!

 

 The pair foraged for insects and fish in the shallow water and mudflats.  I continued clicking, hoping I was getting them in focus.

 

 I watched them a while longer, but the light was getting low for good photography.

 

 As the cranes continued to stroll through the darkening water, my friends and I left the trail.  I was amazed at how often I’m in search of cranes and tonight they just happened to arrive where I was.  It doesn’t get much better than this.