Couple of things . . .
I had a great blue heron walk between my car and my bedroom window in the apartment building I live in, last week. We have one or two in the area that fish at the local ponds at the various apartment complexes. I've actually seen two within 40-50 feet of each other. (Don't know how they taste--probably like spotted owl, though. 
)
Nice photo of the cranes, asdf. Your wife has got to be proud.
CM, nice whoppers, too . . . 
Went to visit my Mom and noticed there were 3 kids on the end of her dock. OH_OH- who were these kids and why were they dressed in clothing that looked from behind like medieval monks.
Like something out of a vampire movie they spread their arms and flew off. Gave us all a start let me tell you.
Big suckers that I had never noticed before anywhere.
Kayaking in a small inlet I saw something watching me from the bank. I put my paddle aside and just floated inshore when this gigantic bird spread its wings and soared not 3 feet over my head-----The water was shallow and there was no way I could over turn, so I watched in awe as it zoomed over me.
Up here we have what us locals call the S*it Pokes. I call them flasher birds as they stand on rocks with wings out drying in the sun. Kind of look like old men in a rain coat flashing old women.
These guys are not much larger then a big sea gull but are every where on the water front.---------Too greasy for even the starving to eat.
The Canary's that have infested Conn. have moved north lately. they survive the cold and cause havoc with their nests on power lines. I noticed these odd birds in my yard this summer, very beautiful but strange to this area.
