Desert Hawk Books

 

Sandy

The Sandhill Crane Who Joined Our Family

by Dayton O. Hyde, with a new introduction by Gretel Ehrlich

 

 

 

On a wilderness ranch in southern Oregon nearly a century ago, Dayton Hyde dove into a rushing river to rescue the threatened nest of a sandhill crane. The egg saved from the nest hatched into a bird, and also into an amazing story.

"Sandy" the crane grew up in Hyde's household as a member of the family and had to be taught she was really a bird. Hyde served as parent, companion, dietitian, even flight instructor to Sandy, and eventually watched over her mate and fledglings as well. Over the years, he had to learn a lot about sandhills. In return, the cranes taught him quite a bit about what it is to be wild.

More than an animal story, Sandy is the true account of an individual who dedicated himself to saving an endangered species. Hyde shares his totally charming, often hilarious stories of Sandy and the other wild pets, showing us how one man's heroic act to save an unhatched egg blossomed into a lifetime of conservation activities.

First published over thirty years ago, Sandy contains a message more urgent today as civilization sprawls without regard for wilderness. It shows what private landowners can do to help wildlife conservation--that ranches, when run with an understanding of whole ecosystems, can serve as miniature wildlife sanctuaries that address the concerns of ranchers and environmentalists alike.

" An extremely readable book on two counts: the warm story of Hyde and his bird friends (he dances with the cranes, and they follow him around), and the matter of how such dwindling species may be preserved. No nature lover should miss it."--Chicago Tribune

" Funny and charming...a good account of a big step forward in preserving wild birds."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author
Dayton Hyde is a rancher, conservationist, photographer, and author of books for adults and young readers.

Gretel Ehrlich's books include The Solace of Open Spaces and Questions of Heaven: The Chinese Journeys of an American Buddhist.