![after](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7391351604_bda1113202_z.jpg)
On May 10, 2012, I took a hike at my old patch, Rollins Savanna, while visiting my parents in Lake County, Illinois. During my walk I saw a trio of Sandhill Cranes.
![apulets](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/7391357260_c9c3a932d9_z.jpg)
The birds were remarkable for two reasons: 1) they were being harassed by a determined Red-winged Blackbird, and 2) one of the cranes was banded. I dutifully reported the sighting.
![Banded Sandhill Crane](http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9236847882_06e6dfa5f8_c.jpg)
Two weeks ago, I received this certificate of appreciation. Click the certificate to see full size.
![cert_small](https://www.poweredbybirds.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cert_small.jpg)
The bird I saw was about three years old at the time and was banded not too far away at Chain O Lakes State Park as a pre-fledgling. How cool is that? This was the first time I reported a banded bird (though since then I reported another and heard back from the bander shortly thereafter). This is the first green certificate I’ve received. 😀