Grey Crowned Crane

Gallery: AvianPosted August 16, 2012111 views5 comments

This morning in North Florida while taking some shots of turkeys, I was surprised to see this bird in a nearby field. I didn't have time to do much but push the shutter before it flew off! They are beautiful birds, but I have never seen one wild. Was exciting to see one!

Nikon D700
Sigma 50-500 VR
1/125 F6.3 500

Ligtroom crop, lighting

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Ester van Dam on August 16, 2012 at 4:40 AM

Very beautiful bird it's a shame it flew off but still great to see one in the wild! The light in the eye is very nice,

Registered on August 30, 2011, 50 Posts, 103 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on August 16, 2012 at 8:06 AM

Nice image considering your situation. I would have been surprised also to see this African bird flying free in Florida. Any idea where it came from? Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on August 16, 2012 at 10:20 AM

Sounds like a rare encounter. The image suffers from not being sharp. That's a shame.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 16, 2012 at 5:39 PM

This is probably an escaped bird from a private collection or zoo. It would be fun to see one where it is not suppose to be.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Karon Welter on August 17, 2012 at 8:28 AM

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I think this bird must be an escapee. I see that these are not supposed to live in Florida. Unfortunately, Florida often ends up with many nonnative birds, animals, reptiles, plants flourishing!

Next week I will be back in this same area again where this was taken.......will be hoping for another opportunity to see this bird, maybe even get a sharper shot!

Registered on November 10, 2008, 67 Posts, 543 Comments