This bird was mistaken by Audubon as being the immature variety of the whooping crane, its larger white cousin. Though they are both cranes, they are different species. Near the studio, there is a pair of adults that live in the 'next marsh over'. They come by every so often to say ‘Hi’, and to introduce the latest batch of youngsters. They have adjusted to people well, and trust me to visit up close. They let me act as surrogate ‘guard’, for the missing mate, when they are egg-sitting and one of the couple comes alone to feed, as the other tends the nest.