Sandhill Crane Silhouette in Dry Grass

A sandhill crane strides across a field of golden, drought-stripped grass along a game trail near Mysore. Late afternoon light pours from behind, turning the bird into a sharp, dark silhouette against the bright sky. Soft dust lifts in swirling eddies around the crane's legs, caught in a side wind that bends the tall stalks. A visible heat haze shimmers above the dry ground, blurring the horizon line. The bird's long neck stretches forward as it navigates the uneven terrain, its feathers appearing as a solid black shape. Tiny particles of soil hang suspended in the air, illuminated by the clear, golden rays filtering through the dust.