light as a feather

The sandhill cranes are molting like crazy. The colts, which have been receiving flying lessons from mom and dad for several weeks have now both achieved lift off. And today, it appears mom and dad have shifted their emphasis to teaching the adolescents how to call (that crazy prehistoric call). I other words, it appears all their efforts are singularly focussed on getting everyone, including mom and dad, ready for the long flight south in two months: Mom and dad need feather tune replacements, the babes need to finish flying school and how to call to Mom and Dad should they become separated on the long journey. Its a time of preparation, and the stakes are high so it will take all of the next two months to get ready.

downy sandhill crane feather (about the size of my hand from finger tip to wrist)