THE PANIC OF SEPARATION

As is the way sometimes,  the greatest lessons can be learned from the most unexpected sources.  I believe it to be true that man thinks himself superior to other creatures and this is erroneous in so many ways.  There is so much we can learn if we are open and accepting.

Yes, it was a day, like so many I have enjoyed recently, a day of learning and understanding, of discovery and connection.  I have discovered a secret and as my story continues,  I will share it with you.  It is one of observing,  not interacting,  just watching a very natural spring occurrence, the returning Sandhill Cranes.

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The day is sunny and crisp,  just about perfect.   They are still quite tired from their trip north but so happy to find themselves back in their home territory.  Arriving late last evening they spent the morning foraging in corn stubble across from the marsh.   By late morning many more were arriving and the air was filled with loud rattling bugle calls.  Groups of four to eight landing,  others taking off,  circling,  constant motion of swirling birds.

It was during this time of new arrivals that they had some how gotten separated.   Now he was in a panic,  he had been strutting,  pacing up and down the muddy road by the marsh,  strutting and pacing, calling and calling.   So much noise it was hard to tell if he had heard her return call.  His call was full of panic!

A car slowly passing on the marsh road had them all calling guard calls but he was listening for a unison call.   Mates talking.  Family members talking. Always trying to feel the connection.  Where are you?  Are you safe?   He kept calling and calling!   The day was getting late, his panic stronger,  where is she?   Where can she be?   He wishes to settle in some cover for the night.

Off to the south he noticed a group coming in.  Trailing a bit behind them, a  straggler.   As they landed,  the straggler continued on toward him closer and closer and she was finally back.   They were so excited,  calling to one another.  He fusses about her touching her here and there, he uses his beak to ruffle her feathers.  He is checking her,  making sure she is alright and now they are delighted to be together.  Now he jumps into the air flapping his wings and strutting again,  he is showing her his dance...trying to remind her why they were a mated pair.

Finally settling in for the night in a dry patch by the edge of the woods he was trying to find a safe place from predators.  In the morning they would begin nest building, once that was begun, they were committed to that spot for many weeks until their eggs hatched.  The night settles in and finally the sky quiets,  honking geese, ducks and cranes all down now for the night.

In the morning they are both very busy gathering cattails reeds and dried grasses.   Pulling the stuff loose and tossing the matter over their shoulders creating a pile of nesting material.   Nests are somewhat large,  30 to  40 inches across and 5 or 6 inches high but even after the clutch is laid,  they will add materials as needed to keep the nest high and dry.  Things can get very worrisome when you nest at the edge of standing water of a marsh but it is also good for foraging tubers and invertebrates.    Spring rains and further snow melt can cause the water to rise quickly,  nests with eggs have been known to be lost.  Ultimately the female arranges the nest to her satisfaction,  with what they have gathered but work will continue until they have perfect home for their young to be born.

For the last few days,  well, almost a week,  the work has continued,  nest building,  foraging and they are happy to report there are two eggs now in the nest.   It begins a time of the female ever on the nest or standing next to the nest if it is warm and she can get off the eggs.  The male is foraging or standing guard, away from, but insight of the nest.  He is watching for danger from above and from around him on the land.  If a predator dives on them from above,  he leaps up into the air and defends with his feet making loud rattling bugle calls,  frantic to defend.....if the predator comes along the land,  he bats his wings, hisses and kicks.    He hopes for no predators.

The time passes quickly as the seasons are in change.  Weather unpredictable,  snow flurries or baking in direct sunlight,  the female must endure it all stay on the eggs,  keep them warm.  The water has been steadily rising but he brings her grasses and reeds,  she pulls them along side the nest building the sides higher.    Only a few more days she senses the time is very near.

And then,   Very very early, just at dawn,  the first egg cracks open, she is so attentive.  She begins making unison calls quietly at first but wanting him close for this, the beginning of their family.   The second egg now opens.  Both eggs have live wonderful chicks.  Down covered,  active and eyes open.     Both parents touch the chicks, nudge them,  directing  them from the first moments of life how they must be,  what they must be to survive.   The chicks are strong and active.  Now the parents must get them away from the danger of the rising water.   

The next morning finds them across the puddle on the far bank,  dry land behind them.  Taking them on their backs over the deeper water, they are now safe for the moment.   

Life is now built on experience,  Each gesture is a lesson,  food and how to find it most important.   The chicks will stay with the parents for eight or nine months,  growing, learning to fly,  learning the squawks and eventually the bugle calls often joining with other families of Cranes doing just what Cranes do!

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And so the story has shown the crane family is much like the human family.  Each has it’s role and purpose and so I wonder what I can learn of dedication, and responsibility and common traits.  Do you see the secret I promised emerging?  

Nature is a wonderful teacher,  one does not have to go to classes or films or lectures,  just go out, do not intrude but sit quietly and observe and learn.  

My secret is we are all part of this great cycle of life and there are enormous benefits from slowing one’s life,  to be silent, sit and observe.

Nature is a microcosm of all that we are. Not every species will manifest all traits but somewhere in nature you can find them all.    The complexity of nurturing, killing for food, greed,  passion, care, concern, sympathy,  protection, and  beauty!