Orange Sandhill Crane

[Randy Stout]

This fine fellow was captured several years ago visiting a small vernal pond in the Michigan woods.  A good friend of mine had worked this pond over the years, and suggested I try it out with him.

I dragged my camouflaged sled blind through the woods and sat it near the waters edge, well before sunrise, and waited.  We were primarily there for wood ducks, but were really pleased when this fellow strolled in.  Quite unexpected at that location.

Their base plumage is a slate gray, but they preen their feathers with mud, and if it contains iron, they get this rusty/orange color.

Nikon D4  600VR  1/320s ISO 1600, f/7.1

Thoughts and comments always appreciated.

Cheers

Randy

[bobfriedman]

sweet shot... quite good luck..

[armando_m]

Fantastic contrast vs the blue background

[John Geerts]

Great catch.  (and story)  Lovely colour contrast.

[Akira]

Beautiful capture, as always, Randy!  Love the color (especially the contrast between the orange crane and the blue-ish background) and the lighting (from the rising sun?).

[Randy Stout]

Thanks everyone:

Akira - it was indeed an early, rising sun when I took the picture.  The bird was in a little clearing around the pond, and the sun poked through the trees, but left the background subdued.

Randy

[Akira]

Thank you for the details.  The crane is indeed nicely spotlighted.

[Fons Baerken]

Sweet light, great image, everything right.