[larbud]

This is a great example of how drastically these birds can literally change the color of their plumage. The reason for the change in color is that sandhill cranes preen themselves by rubbing mud on their feathers. The mud can be either brown or red.The feathers soak up the mud’s color just like a sponge and it lasts for a long time. It is believed that the birds do this to camouflage themselves during the nesting season. As the summer goes by, the rusty red color eventually wears off and the bird turns back into it’s normal gray color.

[JohnN]

thanks for sharing

[Velvet]

Awwww. Lovely composition and contrast.

[mixsonci]

I love these birds, love to see them roaming around, but do so worry about them getting hit by a car