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Tuesday, December 05, 2006
The Sandhill Crane of Florida: 4-foot-tall beauty
One of the more exciting aspects of living in Florida is the wildlife (indeed, one of the only things I like about the state). My apartment overlooks a small lake and when I look out of my back porch I get to see all kinds of cool stuff, including an alligator that lives nearby. One beautiful bird, the Sandhill Crane (scientific name Grus canadensis), has been making an occasional appearance on the banks of the lake out back and most recently right next to my car in the front parking lot. Apparently these guys (and girls, I presume) are harmless unless provoked, but even then they seem pretty docile, just walking along minding their own business as if being a 4-foot-tall bird with an attractive red head was no big deal. I have yet to capture them on film myself, but will try next time they're hanging around.
Well, someone has to go and try to ruin one of the few redeeming aspects of the Tampa Bay area and cut off the legs of these magnificent creatures for a reason only fathomable to the moron who cut them off. The St. Pete Times is reporting that Sandhill Cranes are being tortured in a Pasco County subdivision. Incidents have occurred elsewhere. As if it wasn't bad enough that we are encroaching on their habitat, someone has to rub it in their faces. It's akin to someone busting down your door, drinking all your beer, and then punching you in the nuts just for the heck of it. I promise you although Florida is one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse states in the country it is home to one species that I wouldn't mind seeing going extinct, Gigantus idiotsis (common name: big idiot).
More about the Sandhill Cranes from Houghton Mifflin and Wikipedia.
Nature photos from birdsphoto.com.
Posted by Will at December 5, 2006 12:40 AM in Florida