Just this week saw a sandhill crane resting in the shade while the mate stood guard on Palmer golf course. I've seen this behavior many times. It reminds me of deer. When the female gives birth she drops the baby and runs away to deposit afterbirth in another location. She does this to protect the baby from predators. She always returns to the baby but good samaritans see the baby alone and try to save it. Hopefully the crane that the OP observed is up and about.
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