We were puzzled when we first glimpsed these birds (and about half a dozen more) feeding in a lovely grassy field near the harbor in Kenai. We really didn't need binoculars to tell that they had to be Sandhill Cranes.
Everything about their shape, their size, their walk and their behavior was right.
Except that we had never seen them with reddish-brown feathers before.
We've watched these guys in New Mexico, in Utah, in Texas, and in Florida ... maybe other places too ... but they've always always had gray/white plumage.
We took a ton of pictures of course.
And did some research later when we downloaded the photos. Here's what we found on the National Wildlife Federation's site:
"Although the feathers are gray, sometimes they can have a reddish-brown appearance. The reason for the change in color is that sandhill cranes preen themselves by rubbing mud on their feathers. The mud can be brown or red. The red mud comes from iron rich environments."
At three to four feet tall with a wing-span that can be over 5 feet, sandhills are always an impressive bird. I think maybe even more so in their ocher "dye job" which certainly made them stand out in their green field.
LINKING TO: Stuart's WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY and Annie's BIRD D'POT (on Saturday). Thank you both for hosting!!!
Wow...so very impressive!!!!
Thanks for linking up this weekend at the Bird D'Pot!!
Posted by: Anni @ I'd Rather B Birdin' | July 13, 2014 at 05:48 AM
Gorgeous! I love the red eye brows! ha.
Posted by: Betsy | July 12, 2014 at 06:38 PM
Wonderful photos.
Posted by: Christian | July 12, 2014 at 03:03 PM
VIEWING YOUR BLOG ON A TABLET.. LOOKS GOOD
Posted by: JOE TODD | July 12, 2014 at 02:10 PM
I think I saw the same birds in Grand Teton a few years ago. I didn't know at all who they were but I remember the strange noise they made.
Posted by: Annie | July 11, 2014 at 05:12 AM
Very pretty!
Blessings,
Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | July 10, 2014 at 09:13 PM
Sort of like us dyeing our hair.
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 10, 2014 at 06:12 PM
that was very interesting to learn about. Great shot too. :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | July 10, 2014 at 02:46 PM
interesting to see the differences and to learn more of them too Sallie; great pick up
Posted by: Carole M/Australia | July 10, 2014 at 02:16 PM
What lovely creatures! And I love your shot of Seldovia too.
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 10, 2014 at 08:21 AM
I have never seen these beautiful birds until now. Lovely.
Posted by: eastcoastlife | July 10, 2014 at 03:51 AM
Very pretty birds !
Posted by: Gattina | July 09, 2014 at 10:34 PM
Wow, they are exotic looking!
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | July 09, 2014 at 08:41 PM
'Twas ever thus, right back to Cleopatra, but I didn't know Sandhill cranes adorned themselves with mud. Quite beautiful... We see them in the spring and in the fall on their migrations south, and they are so lovely as they call to each other in great straggling V's across the skies.
Posted by: Hildred Finch | July 09, 2014 at 07:36 PM
I think these are great photos! What a treat. Thanks for sharing these, my friend.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | July 09, 2014 at 05:09 PM
These are lovely shots, Sallie. Isn't is amazing how much you can find out about the birds nowadays! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: bettyl - NZ | July 09, 2014 at 04:55 PM
Great shots of the cranes.
Posted by: Neil | July 09, 2014 at 04:23 PM
Wonderful shots!
Posted by: Pat | July 09, 2014 at 04:14 PM
Oh my gosh, these are great! I love the "dye job" too. The slender, airy grass makes for a beautiful backdrop as well. Louisiana is trying to reestablish the sandhill crane population, but they have to be secretive about it until their numbers are better. Did you know in 1941 there were only 21 total sandhill cranes? Conservation efforts kept this bird from becoming extinct.
Posted by: Gail | July 09, 2014 at 11:18 AM
Beautiful birds! Interesting about the mud.
Posted by: Gunilla | July 09, 2014 at 10:20 AM
They are the most interesting birds, you got some great shots of them. I saw them when we were down in Florida, not closely but it was a thrill to see them at all. My first time :) Thanks for stopping by and wishing me a happy birthday, so very much appreciated :)
Posted by: DeniseinVA | July 09, 2014 at 09:35 AM
Is that ever interesting! Well shot!
Posted by: Jenn Jilks | July 09, 2014 at 06:17 AM
I'm jealous that were able to get so close!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl | July 09, 2014 at 05:35 AM
Your post is always so interesting, and that is because you do a lot of research to add some extra information to your post.
Thanks for your kind words on my blog. We are one great blogging family!
Have a great week.
Wil, ABCW Team
Posted by: Reader Wil | July 09, 2014 at 04:36 AM
Nice pics and I learned something. I have never seen Sandhill Cranes in the wild.
Posted by: Yogi | July 09, 2014 at 04:17 AM
Interesting information and you got some great shots of them.
Posted by: Carver | July 09, 2014 at 03:10 AM
Oh,Sandhill Cranes, they are♡♡♡ They DO look quite different from ours white oe here! Beautiful Crane with Beautiful pictures. And I was impressed with the way you explained in your last phrase,Sallie. Wonderfully Written!
So happy for your great trip♬♬♬
Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | July 09, 2014 at 01:53 AM
What an interesting bird. You wouldn't think the colour is from mud. They are very big. Great shots too.
Posted by: diane | July 09, 2014 at 01:08 AM
HI Now that is so interesting about these Cranes. great shots of them
Posted by: Margaret | July 09, 2014 at 12:01 AM
I've never seen them like this! Kind of cool looking though. Very nice photos Sallie!
Posted by: Pat | July 08, 2014 at 08:23 PM
Impressive shots, Sallie. I've not seen them with reddish brown feathers, either. Your research is enlightening for birds we do see around here during migration - and can hear them "gurgling" so high up in the sky during their great migration.
Posted by: Penny | July 08, 2014 at 07:20 PM
They are impressive birds. Thanks for the info on their colors, I would not have guessed that.. Beautiful shots of the Cranes..
Posted by: Eileen | July 08, 2014 at 02:25 PM
truly, truly awesome! i've not seen them since my wisconsin days - they have a nesting habitat near where i grew up.
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 08, 2014 at 01:06 PM
Oh I love these guys. Thanks!
Posted by: Dianne | July 08, 2014 at 01:00 PM
You are seeing some wonderful wildlife...
Posted by: RamblingWoods | July 08, 2014 at 12:53 PM
Glorious series and thanks for explaining about the colour variations.
Posted by: Frank (UK) | July 08, 2014 at 11:54 AM
Jealous!!! I love these and have yet to see one in the wilds!!! Always wrong time,wrong place!
Posted by: Sondra | July 08, 2014 at 11:39 AM
Cool! I'm sending this link to a friend who loves those birds!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | July 08, 2014 at 10:35 AM
Gorgeous shots!
Posted by: Mama Zen | July 08, 2014 at 10:32 AM