Among the many animal residents in the land around my house in Wisconsin are sandhill cranes. These magnificent birds are prehistoric-like, with their pterodactyl appearance and haunting calls, which makes sense, since scientists estimate that the species has been soaring through the skies for six million years. The calls are quite amazing — and can be heard up to 2.5 miles away, per the Cornell Lab. Watch this video of a pair of sandhill cranes calling in my garden.
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I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
