Earlier this week I went out on what us oilfield trash in the energy business call a “foilage tour.” My employer has some projects going on in western Oklahoma that I had a hand in so went to check them out. Not that I have anything to contribute to them at this point besides get in the way and impede progress.
I had finished looking at what I came to look at and I was taking the back roads home. I was on a gravel county road when I saw some critters out walking in a wheat field. I did a double take and saw this group of birds. I’m not sure what they are, herons or cranes come to mind, and I’m sorry for the quality of the picture but it is the best I have.
There were other groups further out in the field walking around also. I have seen these birds in rivers standing alone looking for something to eat I always presumed.
Now, I know that birds come in flocks not herds. These birds looked like they were in a herd.
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Supplement! Fishing Guy and a few other people said that the birds were sandhill cranes. I googled them and looked at the pictures available and to this unexpert eye, I think they are right. I found out from the International Crane Foundation site that sandhill cranes are the most populous cranes in the world and it is also the oldest bird species still surviving (10 million years+). Fishing Guy also pointed out that a herd (flock) of cranes is a sedge.
Thanks Fishing Guy for taking the time to let us know what the birds are.
Thanks guys, I love learning this kind of stuff.
Beautiful “herd” of birds! I would guess cranes, but I’m pretty bad at bird identification. I’m sure someone in this meme is better informed.
must be having a conference
They must have been deciding on where to go next. Great shot!
I am soooo giggling at herd of birds!
I think the pic is great Yogi!
Yogi: Those definetly look like a group of Sand Hill Cranes and they are known as a sedge of cranes not a flock.
Not a bad shot at all Yogi. I have seen Cranes here around Tulsa at different times. Never more than one though.
Those look like sandhill cranes to me. I just saw my first pair of them when I was in Florida two weeks ago. They are stunning with that patch of red on their heads.
Birdwatching could be a nice addition to your geo-caching activity. All you need is a good field guide for your area so you know what you’re looking at.
Geocaching sounds fun. I think it’s something my kids would enjoy. We love to be in the woods.
I’ve seen these hanging out at the lake at the Tulsa Zoo, and also along the Arkansas River where I used to live.
Sorry I can’t help. I’ve never seen so many of what they are in a “herd” or a flock. 😉
They do look like a herd…they’re up to something. lol Neat birds, have no idea what they are.
WOW!!! I’ve never seen that many together in one place! Like you, I’ve always seen birds such as this alone.
Don’t get to see too many of them around. Thanks for sharing them with us.
I live in Florida and one time I was rushing to get to the airport and a pair of sandhill cranes crossed the road in front of my car. I was mad that I had to slow down, but not mad enough to miss the photo op LOL – I think I blogged them one time for Camera Critters.
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thanks for all the info about them, I love the idea of a herd of birds 🙂
Cranes are such lovely birds. They tend to be a bit spooky. You’re lucky to have captured this pic.
Definitely cranes. So fortunate to capture so many in one image.
Yes they are Cranes and it looks like they are having a meeting of the minds. lol
What a great find, your photo is super. The only crane I have ever seen is one at a zoo a while ago. One of the reasons I love blogging is that I love to find out this kind of stuff too. Thanks for the great post. Very interesting!
You are sooooooo not from here. A “herd” of birds? I love it!
I, too, like learning these things. Especially when someone just tells me and I don’t have to research. 🙂