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Possible Sandhill Crane near I-40 & I-95



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