Sand Hill Crane...

[jprzybyla]

I captured these this fall and finished the work up. Florida has a population of resident Sand Hill Cranes, the color tends to be more grey than what I have seen in images from further north. Maybe an adaptation to the sun in Florida with the lighter color reflecting more heat. C&C welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

#1



#2



#3



#4

[deetheturk]

Stunning images Joe,looks a big bit of a bird,thanks for sharing.

David

[Saorsa]

Nice work. I think that if I lived in Lakeland, I would spend nearly every morning at the Circle B Bar.

The are indeed large birds. They stand nearly 6 feet high when their head is up and the wingspan is often over 6 feet.

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set, Joe. Nos. 2 and 3 are awesome. No.4 just as good technically as 3 but I just like the wing position better in 3. Yeah most of the ones we see up here are more of a tan color though there are a few grey ones. It seems like all of the grey ones up here are bigger birds. I've asked a few reasonably knowledgeable people but no ideas from them as to the color difference. The grey ones really stand out in the crowd. Definitely in fall when they are coming back through with the youngsters, they are darker than the adults.

[FrankMi]

Great close-ups Joe. I had not seen one this close before! Thank you for sharing.

[Suzan J]

Hello Joe and a Happy New Year to you! The sandhill crane is probably my favourite bird. Seeing them wobbling about in a field is quite a site. I really like the close up in # 2. I have never managed to get too near to these birds. It is interesting that you find their colour to be different from our northern versions. Thanks for sharing.

[Otavio]

I love the light on these, Joe. Very well done!

[jprzybyla]

Stunning images Joe,looks a big bit of a bird,thanks for sharing.

David

Thank you David, very much appreciated.

[jprzybyla]

Nice work. I think that if I lived in Lakeland, I would spend nearly every morning at the Circle B Bar.

The are indeed large birds. They stand nearly 6 feet high when their head is up and the wingspan is often over 6 feet.

Thank you Saorsa ( this doesn't seem like your first name, most of us list that... it just make things more personable in replying ). Dottie and I do go to Circle B two or three times a week but a morning shooting in the field means a couple days sorting and post processing.

[jprzybyla]

Nice set, Joe. Nos. 2 and 3 are awesome. No.4 just as good technically as 3 but I just like the wing position better in 3. Yeah most of the ones we see up here are more of a tan color though there are a few grey ones. It seems like all of the grey ones up here are bigger birds. I've asked a few reasonably knowledgeable people but no ideas from them as to the color difference. The grey ones really stand out in the crowd. Definitely in fall when they are coming back through with the youngsters, they are darker than the adults.

Hello Dan, thank you for viewing and commenting. Researching Sand Hill Cranes there are two types listed the Greater and Lesser depending on the size.

[jprzybyla]

Great close-ups Joe. I had not seen one this close before! Thank you for sharing.

Hello Frank, thank you for viewing and commenting... very much appreciated.

[jprzybyla]

Hello Joe and a Happy New Year to you! The sandhill crane is probably my favourite bird. Seeing them wobbling about in a field is quite a site. I really like the close up in # 2. I have never managed to get too near to these birds. It is interesting that you find their colour to be different from our northern versions. Thanks for sharing.

Hello Suzan, Happy New Year. Thank you for viewing and commenting. There is a story that goes with these images. I heard and saw the birds approaching from a distance, so I captured some images of them as they flew by. After passing me they made a turn and flew back made another turn and landed about five feet away. These are big and with the long bill a little intimidating. When I would move backwards they would move closer. After a while I was able to move past them to get the light in my favor capturing the first and second images. Last year Dottie and I rescued a family of Sand Hill Cranes from the parking lot at the nature preserve, kind of redirecting them back into the marshland away from the cars. Dottie says she thinks these were the two young cranes that recognized me. Not sure but a nice thought if so.

[jprzybyla]

I love the light on these, Joe. Very well done!

Thank you Otavio, very much appreciated.