I took this photo when I saw this bird across the street from my house. There are four around here. Earlier today the four of them walked up to Ginny as she was in the car at a stop light. I assume they are curious but do not know for sure. I looked for some information on these big birds that we have here in The Villages and here is some of that information for those that are interested from on a Wikipedia page.
Adults are gray overall; during breeding, the plumage is usually much worn and stained, particularly in the migratory populations, and looks nearly ochre. The Sandhill Crane has a red forehead, white cheeks and a long dark pointed bill. Its long dark legs trail behind in flight, and the long neck is kept straight in flight. Immature birds have reddish brown upperparts and gray underparts. The sexes look alike. This crane frequently gives a loud trumpeting call that suggests a French-style “r” rolled in the throat, and they can be heard from a long distance.
Mated pairs of cranes engage in “unison calling.” The cranes stand close together, calling in a synchronized and complex duet. The female makes two calls for every single call of the male.
The only other large grayish-bodied bird of North America is the Great Blue Heron. This heron is of similar dimensions to the Sandhill Crane and is sometimes mistakenly called a crane, even though it is very different in plumage details and build. Like other herons, it flies with its neck tucked toward the body.
The sandhill crane’s large wingspan, which is 6–8 feet when fully grown, makes this a very skilled soaring bird similar in style to hawks and eagles.
I hope you find it interesting.
Randy
Last night at The Savannah Center we attended a great entertaining evening. Jay Siegel and the Tokens with Rocky and the Rollers opening the show. What a great time we had. Rocky and his Rollers varied there act a bit by giving us some of songs that they did at the last Rocky and the Rollers Unplugged. We were at that show as well and if you have not gone you should plan on going later this year. It is a show well worth seeing.
This concert was also to benefit CERT, the Community Emergency Response Team hear in The Villages. A great cause for sure and I know they are thankful to have some additional funds for their program. We appreciate this team here in The Villages
Randy’
This is my first post about the entertainment here in The Villages. I can tell you that I will normally not be a judge of the talent that performs here at our two town squares (soon to be 3). In this case I will tell you that this group in my opinion is the best that we have here and for more than just the music they play.
Rocky brings a lot of great entertainment here to our Savannah Center. Tonight in fact I will see them and The Tokens!! It was just last month on May 23rd that I saw Rocky and Martha Reeves and The Vandellas. That is just May and June of this year. Not counting all the times at one of our town squares or of course Katie Belle’s!
Check out this video!
Let me know who your favorite entertainers are too.
Randy
email Randy
While reading The Villages Voice I could not help but notice how well our Villages Charter School does compared to other school systems. Here we are, a community of 80,000 +
senior residents and no children with a great Charter School. Students that attend our school are children of employees who work here in The Villages. Parents are also required to participate as they are required to complete volunteer hours at the school their child attends.
The thought process that went into having a first class school was that it would bring first class professionals and world class business to our community. It is important to parents when considering where they live and work that their children get a great education. The Villages Charter School provides this education with resounding success.
According to Dr. Randy McDaniel, the overall graduation rate is over 99%. This years senior graduating class has 93% going on the higher education programs. The elementary, middle and high schools have a consistent record of “A” rating by the State of Florida.
Obviously, I do not have any children in the charter school so have no first hand knowledge of how the students feel about their classes and extra activities.
Your comments about the charter school are welcome.
Randy
A new restaurant has decided that the Villagers’ emails inspired them to open here in our hometown.
According to what I read the restaurant will be open for Breakfast and Lunch only. All foods are made fresh to order. The First Watch Cafe was born in 1983 in Bradenton Florida and now operates 80 restaurants in 11 states. The company is privately owned and operates its restaurants from 7 am to 2:30 pm, seven days a week. The restaurant says they are reasonably priced as well.
The new restaurant plans to open sometime in late June or early July. The restaurant owners are already looking for a second location here in The Villages. Living down near 466A myself I hope they come on down our way to Colony Plaza or maybe one of the new planned shopping plaza’s.
Randy