Saturday, February 21, 2009

Inflate your sac to show you love me.



Today's photos are from my mom,
who recently returned from a trip to Hawaii with her husband.

She's an amazing photographer, among other things.

I can't wait to share her whale shots with you next week.

But, for now,
Here are some pictures she took of a male African Grey-Crowned Crane
in Kula Botanical Garden in Maui.





This bird has a seriously awesome "do."

My hair frequently looks like this, actually.






These are the only cranes that can roost in trees,
because of a long hind toe that can grasp branches.

I want a long hind toe that can grasp things.
That's awesome.





The Grey Crowned Crane has a breeding display involving dancing, bowing, and jumping.
It also makes a honking sound quite different from the trumpeting of other crane species.
It has a booming call which involves inflation of the red gular sac.






I don't know about you, but nothing quite says "I love you" like the inflation of the red gular sac.



What are you waiting for?
Grab a camera & a critter!
Join the Camera Critters weekend meme!



Camera Critters


43 comments:

lynette355 said...

How much gel do you think that bird goes through in a day for that spiked hair do? LOL
beautiful pics!

EG CameraGirl said...

Your mom IS a good photographer. Those are among the strangest birds I've ever seen. ;-)

Craig Glenn said...

I want to be a Hawaii nature photographer!

Craig

T said...

WOW! Awesome photos!

i beati said...

hilarious and beautiful Sandy

Anonymous said...

gorgeous...

My entry for CC this week : in HERE. Hope you have time to visit . Thanks

Adrienne Zwart said...

Wonderful shots. What a beautiful subject!

??? said...

Great photos, I like the background of the first one, it works well with the grey of the bird's feathers.

Carla said...

WOW!! Thanks for sharing:)

Carolina said...

You DID make me laugh. Will HE ever have a bad hair day?

DeniseinVA said...

Thank you for sharing your Mom's photos of this magnificent looking crane. Great CC post.

Rose said...

It is one strange and beautiful bird...glad you shared the information about it. I think I want a long hind toe, too!

Lilli & Nevada said...

What a gorgeous bird he is beautiful

Snap said...

Hawaii is such a beautiful place with beautiful wild life -- plant and animal. Thanks! (And thank your Mom.)

Janie said...

Funny post and great photos. Thanks for the view of and info on this very unusual crane!

kden said...

Oh, those are fantastic! Love those grey feathers, wouldn't they look great at a macro if you could only get close enough. My hair frequently looks like that in the morning too.

Mom Knows Everything said...

Wow that is a cool looking bird!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love that bird. Thanks for sharing.

Grand Pooba said...

I'll grab a camera but I'd rather be in Hawaii! I'm jealous of your mom! She took great pictures!

Dianne said...

I love the shot where he's looking right at the camera

Tink *~*~* said...

I agree, gular sacs are HAWT! LOL! :D

Seriously, that is one BEAUTIFUL bird - thanks for sharing. We have sandhill cranes here that have little red beanie hats on their heads. They are very tall. I think I posted them for Camera Critters once.

Tink *~*~*
NEW at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* :
Of Mice and Mutts - Disney’s Flower and Garden Festival

Misty DawnS said...

So THAT'S what I've been doing wrong!!! I forgot to inflate my gular sac! Geesh *smacking forehead*

Grammy said...

Those are all great photos. It reminds me of a peacock. I wonder if they are in the same line of birds. I will look forward to the whales too. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

Wow! What a beautiful bird. And flexible too.
Your mom took some amazing photos. I can't wait to see the whale next week. Thank you for sharing these with us.

Jen said...

Ok, your title of this post had me laughing out loud!!! Cool pictures too.

Lisa said...

Beautiful!

Screwed Up Texan said...

Hey Rhea! That bird can kiss his own arse!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rhea: You made some super captures of the fancy crane.

Unknown said...

Tell mom thank you! I love the gray metallic tones on the body. I agree.. a boon call filled with sac may not be appealing but it sure would get my interest.

Norwood& Debi

Unknown said...

That's a pretty cool bird - love the 'do! Oh, and I wanna go to Hawaii.... : )

Bruce said...

Wow, that's a beautiful bird! Thanks for visiting me on my blog:)

Helene said...

Wow, those are great pics!! Love the do on that bird! He'd make Billy Ray Cyrus jealous!

Thanks for the warm welcome from SITS!

Jane Hards Photography said...

That's such an exotic looking bird. A real beauty.

Days of Whine & Noses said...

Those are great pictures!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Susie said...

Those are great pictures! And, isn't that how you say I love you? Hee, hee, hee.

the mama bird diaries said...

Love hawaii. Cool pictures.

Justine said...

So, like, where on the body is this gular sac?
I went to Maui on my honeymoon. Oh, what an awesome place!
Btw... your post title cracked me up! I couldn't imagine what you were posting about.

Justine :o )

Shannon said...

I'd love to get to Hawaii someday...

Darcy @ m3b said...

I'm trying very hard to refrain from a lwed comment about men and that last photo.

Better leave before I open my big mouth, and your blog is no longer rated PG! ;)

Jana said...

Those are beautiful pics!

Mama Dawg said...

That's how I want MY hair to do in the mornings.

Must talk to the bird to get tips.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

My hair mostly looks like that when I go to pick the kids up from school. The teachers must think I'm a grey crowned crane.

floreta said...

gorgeous bird and background!!