There were a large number of Sandhill Cranes at Phantom Lake.
Usuall a fall trip to Crex Meadows involves an overnight stay so we can watch the evening and morning flights to and from the flowage. With covid we have decided to only make day trips. We usually arrive about 10am so many of the Sandhill Cranes have already left for the surrounding fields. We did find a large number of them around Phantom Lake and were able to get some nice shots.
I have been seeing a couple of pair of Sandhill Cranes at Gilbert Creek. In the first shot there is a Red-winged Blackbird attacking the crane from behind. this is the first time I’ve seen blackbirds go after cranes. I caught the second one dancing for its Mate.