Into the Sun - Sandhill Cranes first flight of the day #2

In the morning the Snow geese leave first, then after much discussion and walking around to determine if anybody else is ready to go, the Sandhill cranes prepare to leave for their feeding grounds. Sometimes they leave in a group of a half dozen or more, sometimes in smaller bunches of two or three and occasionally individuallybut they always leave the same way each time. One or two birds will make up their minds, walk forward a few steps, stand stock still, slowly lean forward extending their heads in the direction they are going to go, take a few more steps forward, then run flapping their wings until they are airborne. If they are successful the rest will follow suit and be right behind them. It is as deliberate a process as their flying is. No false starts, no hesitation, just decide and do it. For all their size they are surprisingly graceful and certainly beautiful to watch.