Alentejo is the only region in Portugal chosen as a winter destination by the cranes of Northern Europe.They spend winter in Alentejo, in dense Holm Oak forests, wet areas, with little slopes and torrential streams. Here the food is plentiful and they can better prepare themselves for breeding a few months later when they return home in March to April. Here are a few photos from the archives taken in the Alentejo some ten years ago, but I only discovered them when I found the stork post. Unfortunately I remember that the sky was grey on the day, and the images are quite dark, which is a pity because they are elegant large birds with beautiful plumage.
Cranes are one meter tall, with blue grey plumage, and a red spot on the head. I was well hidden behind a large Holm Oak tree when I took these photos and they are well cropped, but I was very lucky to get a photo of this Crane when it moved nearer to the tree.
42 comments:
Hola Sonjia. Son unas fotos preciosas y unas hermosas Grullas. Un enorme abrazo.
Beautiful crane pictures taken
Such incredible looking birds! What a treat to see them up close too.
Me encantan las grullas. Tengo mucha suerte donde vivo hay miles de ellas en otoño e invierno. Tus fotos quedaron muy bonitas. Besos.
Hello dear Sonjia :)
Beautiful photos! I have only once seen a Crane here for many years ago. They look very pretty.
I hope that you are doing well my dear friend.
Warm hugs.
Beautiful pictures of the cranes.
Very rarely do they also come to the Netherlands, then there are many bird watchers who go there to photograph them.
They are usually a bit further in the country, I don't go there to photograph them.
Greetings Irma
Inacreditável... Nunca vi guindastes tão de perto... ótimas fotos que você tirou.
Sim, os grous são pássaros muito bonitos no chão e no ar... uma alegria de se ver.
Saudações a você... Desejo-lhe uma feliz primavera.
Viola
Beautiful set of photos well done. Cheers Diane
Hello, Sonjia: I am sure I am not the only one who is glad that you took the time to search through old pictures to find these gorgeous images of gorgeous birds. All birds are captivating, of course, but some have extra oomph and are enigmatic in many different ways, and cranes certainly fit the bill. The only crane we have here in Ontario is the Sandhill Crane, but no doubt you would thrill to it as you do for the Common Crane in Portugal. They are both so stately and elegant, and to see them perform their dance is an exercise in wonder and unalloyed delight. Two years ago Miriam and I found a pair with two youngsters no more than a couple of days old. It was a magical, never to be forgotten experience. I am hereby appointing both of us to the Exalted Order of the Crane. I am sure that makes us among the happiest people on Earth. Big hugs from Ontario - David
I remember seeing some a couple of years back. I had no idea what they were, as they aren't commonly seen, migrating as they do.
they are beautiful and they look a lot like our Sand Hill Cranes, in fact could be the same, not sure about that. if I have missed replies to any of your comments, they have stopped coming in my email and I only discovered that 3 days ago.. I read my blog comments in the emails the generate and reply to the coments by email. trying to figure out how to do that now
I do love a crane and don't see them often. Your photos (as always) are just beautiful -- so clear and well defined. And what a gorgeous subject you have!
These are beautiful photos of a very special bird, Sonjia. I have never seen Common Crane, except in zoos. I would love to see one in the wild.
Best wishes from central England, where we are having a cool and damp day. Stay safe - - - Richard
A really great bird and great photos. Greetings.
Hello Sonjia,
Although you say the pictures are cropped, it looks as though you managed to get quite close to the cranes and got some great pictures.
It must be amazing to see such large birds at such close range.
I hope you are keeping well.
Nick
Such beautiful photographs of the cranes, and thank you for the additional information about them.
All the best Jan
Just lovely!! #Wildbirdwednesday
It may have been a cloudy day, but the birds are brilliant!
What good luck 🙂
Hola, amiga. No te preocupes por la luz del día, porque estas imágenes de la Grullas está preciosas.
Aquí en el Coto de Doña Ana, también suelen pasar la temporada de invierno, pero según algunos biólogos y debido a la sequía que padecemos desde hace unos años, cada vez están viniendo menos...Una pena.
Un cordial saludo.
Hello Sonjia,
Love your Crane images, what a beautiful bird. It is another bird I would love to see, what a treat. Great photos and closeup. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Good Afternoon Sonjia,
Great pictures from your archives. The last time I was in the Alentejo was at least 5 years ago, when my wife was alive.When I go to Portugal in October I hope to go to the Alentejo and will take my camera although I doubt if I will see any cranes.
Cranes really are magnificent birds! The sandhill cranes (similar to your common cranes) that were once very limited to one area in our county have slowly been expanding their range, and some now even stay here over the winter. So we are fortunate to see them often, sometimes very close up. In fact in one local park they have tamed themselves and appproach too close for comfort -- after all, they are so tall they look at me eyeball to eyeball.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
You got some wonderful photos of this Crane. We have the Sandhill Cranes here and it's always a thrill to see them. They are so elegant!
very lucky indeed to be able to capture this special moment. i think the images are beautiful, perhaps if it had been sunnier, you would have been seen and not able to photograph them!! i wish birds were not so afraid of us?? is it fear??, what makes them fly off??
thanks for the wonderful description of their highlights, have a great weekend!!
...Sonjia, these images are great. Cranes are something that we don't have in this area. Enjoy your week.
Beautiful photos of the Cranes.
It is wonderful that you found these shots. They are such beautiful birds.
Bella aves. Te mando un beso.
Bellas aves te mando un beso.
What a gorgeous bird! Your close-up shots really capture its beauty.
That is a beautiful bird. I love seeing your pics of them. I really love the ones on your banner pic.
Gorgeous crane photos ~ thanks,
Wishing you good health, laughter, and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
The Common Crane are wonderful Sonja, lovely photos.
Beautiful portraits Sonjia. Reminding me of the Sandhill Cranes we have seen, I am always excited to see them.
Gorgeous!
Wonderful pictures. I was photographing Brolga recently, it is the only species of crane that occurs in my state. Cranes of all types are wonderful!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Great series of photos... Regards
Great series of photos. Regards
nice closeup shots. They are over here as well but I never managed to gget them this close. Nice to see.
nice to see them closeup :) Nice shots
big and beautiful.....
thank you for sharing photos and details....
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