[ATTACH=CONFIG]418268[/ATTACH]Sand hill crane. This is a picture I took this past weekend.

Maybe they are lost?? You can tell if its male or female quite easily. If it asks for directions- it's a female, if it wanders aimlessly all day, turning this way and that way- it's a male, LOL!!

It is a Sand Hill Crane. We have a pair of them that go to our pond. I was walking my dog one day and it was nice and quiet and peaceful and all of a sudden there was a horrible sound behind me and they were flying over my head! They scared the heck out of me. Fun to see them though. It does make you wonder how in the world they can fly though with that large body.

I've never seen one and at first thought it was one of those doctored pictures. If it's where it shouldn't be, may be related to my DH he has a terrible sense of direction. LOL Learn something new every day!

We have so many here in our area you can't go out without seeing them. One Sunday I was on my way to church and on the outskirt of town (small town) one walked out in the middle of the road, spread her wings and stopped traffic from both directions, and let her babies cross the road. Then she followed after them. She acted like she knew what she was doing.

They are here in the summer. Also in North Dakota we have a hunting season for them. need a license to hunt one tho. can't just shoot it.

Our Sandhill Cranes here in Florida are golden when they are babies and turn grey as they get older. Here are two keeping cool next to the cart path on a local golf course. We have to be careful because they are fearless (or dumb) and will walk in front of cars. I think they're majestic birds.

maybe they are on vacation!! or someone lost one!

Sand Hill Crane. We see them in Florida a lot.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I was just stunned to see these at all let alone up in the mountains. I have really enjoyed all the humorous comments too, they made my day. Thanks everyone.