Millie, Roy and their colts

Twin colts, Jacques and Phyl, hatched on June 10 and 11. Phyl died during the night of July 1st. On July 2nd, the adults alternated between feeding Jacques and "visitations", returning to the roost site to look at Phyl. In the afternoon, both Millie and Roy exhibited bouts of ritualized nest building, directed at Phyl's body (image #3). At 9:52 PM, a vigorous dance erupted. A description of crane activities for the day can be found on the Alaska Sandhill Crane Blog, blogpost of July 10, 2009.