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Possible Sandhill Crane near I-40 & I-95
- To: Carolina Birds <Carolinabirds@duke.edu>
- Subject: Possible Sandhill Crane near I-40 & I-95
- From: Russell-Roberson <Russell-Roberson@nc.rr.com>
- Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 19:54:35 -0500
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
Dear CBer,
I delayed sending this note since I was not sure what kind of names I
would be called if I did. But here goes. Last Thursday, I was driving
east on I-40 several miles after crossing I-95. On the left I saw a
large, dark bird flying towards me that I immediately called a Great
Blue Heron. As I passed at 70 mph (the speed limit) and took a quick
glance, I almost ran off the road. While the color was wrong, what I
saw was the profile of a Flamingo!! I have seen a number of Flamingos
in the Virgin Islands during sailing trips and the long neck and long
legs are hard to miss. The neck of the bird that I saw was long, slim,
and held more or less straight out so that it was as long as the legs.
I did not get a good view of the bill but even at 70 mph I am sure it
was not an Ibis. After checking Sibley the other possibility is a
Sandhill Crane. While this would be a rare sighting, it would not be as
rare as a flamingo!! Since it was flying in a westerly direction toward
Raleigh, maybe someone else will pick it up.
Are there other possibilities???
Regards
Russell Roberson
Durham, NC
919.489.4888