Sandhill crane in full (muddy) breeding plumage.

Well, here we are back in USA again. I have been off the Blipfoto airwaves for months ... VERY lazy. 
I thought I might try to back-Blip to record our time in Utah, at least some of the highlights. A big task, we've been here since 23rd March!! Anyway we'll see how it goes. 
This afternoon is a bit wild with thunderstorms and lightning, but I got out for a good bike ride earlier, around the Snyderville wetlands, taking my proper camera in search of sandhill cranes  - success. Came across 3 of them, such huge, elegant birds. Interesting that they preen themselves in the spring with the local red/brown mud, changing colour from grey to this quite distinct orangey brown. Their original colour is more like what you see on the head.