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These Sandhill cranes have a brand new family that they are raising next to Floating Island lake in Yellowstone National Park and they have brought them out to see the world. The chicks are the little orange blobs on the reed pile. One of the parents always has it’s head up scanning the area for predators. Coyotes and foxes like to eat these little ones so constant vigilance is a must. The chicks can’t fly or even run very fast and are easy prey once they are seen. Being in the tall grass and reeds next to the lake gives them somewhere to hide if they need to.

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It’s a good thing the parents are keeping a close watch because soon a black bear comes out and begins sweeping the edge of the lake for an easy meal. He’s done this before, catching an entire brood of mallards, so his experience tells him that there’s a good chance for a snack.

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Just when it appears that he will blunder into the chicks, the male takes over and pulls out his most trusted trick for getting rid of unwanted predators. Pretending that he has a damaged wing he flutters and staggers around in front of the bear deliberately trying to get it’s attention. Weighing in at up to 14 lbs and with a wingspan of up to 5 to 6 feet he makes quite a sight and is impossible to ignore. Making distressed sounds while he thrashes about helps make the act more believable. This time it works as the bear starts off after him thinking that he has a sure thing going and will soon be dining on fresh Sandhill crane, but somehow the crane manages to stay just out of his reach. Before long he has managed to lead the bear well away from the young ones while mom has the time to lead the young ones to a safer place helping them to make it through another day. That’s one more reason Mom’s are important so love your mom or the bears will get you.