bycatch

Our resident sandhill cranes have been doing some pruning for us this summer. Steve has been tending his Jerusalem artichokes all summer, and in a few careless snaps of the beak, his summer’s worth of work has been cut down. It was a heartbreak, but luckily for the cranes, we love them more than Jerusalem artichokes. So no punishments were doled out. Jerusalem artichokes aren’t the only thing the cranes are trimming. It appears nothing is off limits right now. I wonder what they are looking for? Or are they just having fun with their extra-long beaks that look remarkably like gardening pruning shears? Nothing in nature is accidental. It must be serving a purpose. A quick google search tells me that cranes will go after “moving objects, but not stationary ones”. So perhaps the swaying heads of flowers are simply triggering a self-protective reflex. I am not too bothered by it, our yard is at best a barely-tamed few acres which we “manage” specifically to enjoy the wildlife. Target practice on bobbing flower-heads? So be it.

common sunflower (Helianthus annuus)