Sandies.
A pair of sandhill cranes, one distinctly larger (the one in the rear), but both seemingly adult from their plumage and conformation, so possibly a breeding pair. Their feathers are very rust-red in color, presumably from preening with iron-rich muds.
DP143-2013 Posted May 23; processed May 22
Sandhill cranes breed in the wetlands around Kent Lake in the Kensington Metropark. They have become acclimated to the presence of people. Since most people obey the request not to feed the cranes, these magnificent birds tolerate the presence of people without begging food from them, and hence becoming dependent upon them. When the birds are feeding near one of the hiking trails, you can approach literally to within a few feet of them and they continue on about their business. Pretty cool!
Aspen Trail, Nature Center, Kensington Metropark
Milford Township, Michigan
May 14, 2013
A pair of sandhill cranes, one distinctly larger (the one in the rear), but both seemingly adult from their plumage and conformation, so possibly a breeding pair. Their feathers are very rust-red in color, presumably from preening with iron-rich muds.
DP143-2013 Posted May 23; processed May 22
Sandhill cranes breed in the wetlands around Kent Lake in the Kensington Metropark. They have become acclimated to the presence of people. Since most people obey the request not to feed the cranes, these magnificent birds tolerate the presence of people without begging food from them, and hence becoming dependent upon them. When the birds are feeding near one of the hiking trails, you can approach literally to within a few feet of them and they continue on about their business. Pretty cool!
Aspen Trail, Nature Center, Kensington Metropark
Milford Township, Michigan
May 14, 2013
Sandies.
A pair of sandhill cranes, one distinctly larger (the one in the rear), but both seemingly adult from their plumage and conformation, so possibly a breeding pair. Their feathers are very rust-red in color, presumably from preening with iron-rich muds.
DP143-2013 Posted May 23; processed May 22
Sandhill cranes breed in the wetlands around Kent Lake in the Kensington Metropark. They have become acclimated to the presence of people. Since most people obey the request not to feed the cranes, these magnificent birds tolerate the presence of people without begging food from them, and hence becoming dependent upon them. When the birds are feeding near one of the hiking trails, you can approach literally to within a few feet of them and they continue on about their business. Pretty cool!
Aspen Trail, Nature Center, Kensington Metropark
Milford Township, Michigan
May 14, 2013
A pair of sandhill cranes, one distinctly larger (the one in the rear), but both seemingly adult from their plumage and conformation, so possibly a breeding pair. Their feathers are very rust-red in color, presumably from preening with iron-rich muds.
DP143-2013 Posted May 23; processed May 22
Sandhill cranes breed in the wetlands around Kent Lake in the Kensington Metropark. They have become acclimated to the presence of people. Since most people obey the request not to feed the cranes, these magnificent birds tolerate the presence of people without begging food from them, and hence becoming dependent upon them. When the birds are feeding near one of the hiking trails, you can approach literally to within a few feet of them and they continue on about their business. Pretty cool!
Aspen Trail, Nature Center, Kensington Metropark
Milford Township, Michigan
May 14, 2013
See photo in original gallery.