The Sandhill Cranes Flew Over

Patti (AKA "The Witchdoctor") has almost been visibly pacing for the past couple of weeks, stopping every now and then to look at the sky. She is very much in tune with nature, and regularly will stop what she's doing momentarily to ask, "Did you hear that? It's the mating call of a such-and-such."

Yesterday during lunch she jumped up and went outside to look at the sky. I pointed out that we were in a greenhouse with a glass roof, and perhaps she didn't need to run outside. "You don't understand!" I was told, "The sandhill cranes are going over."

This post is just to let all of you know that we can relax and enjoy Christmas. The sandhills have passed over metro-Atlanta on their way to Gainesville, for their winter hiatus. (I don't ask how she knows they winter in Gainesville.....)

Interestingly, I went to the National Geographic site and read a little about Sandhill Cranes. This paragraph might explain Patti's fascination with them. During mating, pairs vocalize in a behavior known as "unison calling." They throw their heads back and unleash a passionate duet—an extended litany of coordinated song. Cranes also dance, run, leap high in the air and otherwise cavort around—not only during mating but all year long.....I think they might be relatives......