Heavy snowfall blanketed the field where this adult red crowned crane was located. The bad weather did not change the crane's behavior; he continued to preen his luxurious feathers undisturbed. For me, the graceful action was made even more special by the unexpected snowfall. Large flakes and dense flurries created an artistic background to photograph one of the most elegant birds in the world. Luckily, I was prepared for long hours in cold weather with multiple layers of clothing, warm hand protection and covers for my camera gear so when the snow began I was comfortable and able to concentrate on optimizing the opportunity.