20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
Sandhill Crane's Mud-Preened Feathers

Closeup of sandhill crane feathers in sunset light. Cranes have mostly gray feathers, but these appear reddish when the cranes preen themselves with iron-rich mud.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Port St. Lucie, Florida, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS R6
Copyright: © Alessandra Ashley