Sandy - the world’s largest sandhill crane!
Sandy - the world’s largest sandhill crane!
Steele, North Dakota, is home to the world's largest sandhill crane sculpture, known by the nickname "Sandy." Made of steel and approximately 38.5 feet tall, the sculpture was made in the late 1990s by farmer and self-taught ironworker James Miller.
Sandhill cranes are famous for their massive gatherings along the Platte River in Nebraska, but in the spring and fall they migrate through South Dakota. Sandy stands in the Coteau Rangeland, a location that sees many migratory birds, including sandhill cranes.
It was raining the day I stopped in Steele. There was a small break in the rain and I ran out in to the field and got my photos (sorry no drone). I love the idea of these “largest” things. I am not sure they were effective back in the day to lure motorists off the freeway, but they got me to stop!
We have a number of sandhill cranes that stop at our church each year. Two of them (a romantic couple) like to next near the window of one of our Sunday School Rooms. Unfortunately, the male sees a reflection in the window. He thinks it’s another male coming for his lady. The window get coated with dirt and mud and he fights the reflection. Sometimes it’s so loud I need to go down and make sure the window is not broken. We have tried everything to reduce the reflection.
