LAbirder
Common Crane (presumed pure adult)
Common Crane (Grus grus) - presumed pure adult/ ASY showing all phenotypic characteristics of pure COCR with extensive black face, forecrown, throat, neck-sides extending down to mid-neck, whitish nape and hindneck (as typical for COCR), red crown patch, black tips to median and greater upper wing coverts (scalloped effect), mottled black tertials in conspicuous tertial bustle, dull horn-yellow bill base (darker distally), and red irides. Also, as expected, slightly larger and bulkier than Sandhill Crane (SACR). One side (left side) of neck appears to be slightly paler than right side but could be artifact of lighting, distance, etc., and probably within the normal range of variation for COCR. Associated with several thousand SACR (there have been as many as 15,000 SACR in view at once on both days). Frequenting Goose Lake and Paul's Lake during loafing and roosting periods. Observed in surrounding ag. fields, cultivated croplands, natural (short-grass) prairies east of the lakes. Foraging on waste grains and tubers/ rhizomes in surrounding corn, cotton, winter wheat, sorghum fields during AM hours to midday. Originally discovered by Justin Bosler on 18 November. First documented record for TX, if accepted by TBRC. Only about 20 accepted records for U.S. with several occurrences likely pertaining to the same one or two individuals. Perhaps the southern-most occurrence for the U.S. Paul's Lake (east end) off TX-214 at Muleshoe NWR, ca. 5 mi. N of Enochs (Bailey Co.), Texas - 20 Nov 2014. Digiscoped photos (at 500+ meters) by Devin Bosler. Just remember that the visuals through spotting scopes are ten times better than these images.
Common Crane (presumed pure adult)
Common Crane (Grus grus) - presumed pure adult/ ASY showing all phenotypic characteristics of pure COCR with extensive black face, forecrown, throat, neck-sides extending down to mid-neck, whitish nape and hindneck (as typical for COCR), red crown patch, black tips to median and greater upper wing coverts (scalloped effect), mottled black tertials in conspicuous tertial bustle, dull horn-yellow bill base (darker distally), and red irides. Also, as expected, slightly larger and bulkier than Sandhill Crane (SACR). One side (left side) of neck appears to be slightly paler than right side but could be artifact of lighting, distance, etc., and probably within the normal range of variation for COCR. Associated with several thousand SACR (there have been as many as 15,000 SACR in view at once on both days). Frequenting Goose Lake and Paul's Lake during loafing and roosting periods. Observed in surrounding ag. fields, cultivated croplands, natural (short-grass) prairies east of the lakes. Foraging on waste grains and tubers/ rhizomes in surrounding corn, cotton, winter wheat, sorghum fields during AM hours to midday. Originally discovered by Justin Bosler on 18 November. First documented record for TX, if accepted by TBRC. Only about 20 accepted records for U.S. with several occurrences likely pertaining to the same one or two individuals. Perhaps the southern-most occurrence for the U.S. Paul's Lake (east end) off TX-214 at Muleshoe NWR, ca. 5 mi. N of Enochs (Bailey Co.), Texas - 20 Nov 2014. Digiscoped photos (at 500+ meters) by Devin Bosler. Just remember that the visuals through spotting scopes are ten times better than these images.