Florida has a small resident population of Sandhill Cranes. I spotted this pair in the marshes adjacent to Lake Tarpon, not far from where they are building a nest. These are great birds to watch; they are graceful in flight, flamboyant during their ritual courtship, protective parents, and devoted life-long partners. The Florida sandhill crane is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act and as a State-designated Threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.