Migrating Sandhill Cranes were one of the highlights of our recent trip to southern Utah.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The cranes would spend the night in a nearby marshy area and then fly into agricultural areas to feed in the mornings. It was very windy and cold on one of the mornings I was there which made for distinctly uncomfortable shooting conditions but the wind was also our friend at times as it slowed the cranes down in flight. Banking turns would occasionally provide excellent light under the wings to go with the mountain backgrounds.
1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Sandhill Cranes are perennially monogamous with pair bonds being formed and strengthened during the spring migration. While feeding in the fields the males seemed quite protective of their mates. This pair is just about to land amongst a group of birds already on the ground and the larger male seems to be already “talking” to his mate about what to expect when they get there.
In addition to flight shots I spent many hours watching and photographing these cranes on the ground and have several thousand images of their behaviors as they interacted. It will likely take me a day or two to cull those images and I must admit to some curiosity about what I’ll end up with because I often had a difficult light angle. Time will tell…
Ron
Terrific captures. Good work with the exposure … the white on the head is so, so easy to overexpose.
On my way to and on the way back from Denver in late Feb., I did not see a single Sandhill Crane at Bosque. But there were thousands in New Mexico. I need to learn more about the migration route of these interesting birds.
I do like the “talking” one! It would be great to be Dr Doolittle at times, wouldn’t it?
We get some Sandhills through Helena, MT and more up at Freezeout Lake. But a couple of years ago we actually had a pair nest and raise some chicks on a water-retention pond in an area behind the K-Mart! In the midst of town it had enough size, enough brush, enough cat-tails, enough trees and few enough predators that they seemed to do pretty well.
As always, thanks for the pics.
That’s an amazing place for them to nest, Ed. I’m glad your birds were successful in raising the colts.
I love watching the sandhill cranes here in New Mexico. This photo show the exuberance these big and beautiful birds show toward life.
Their behaviors are very entertaining to watch, aren’t they, Karen?
Only several thousand images? Did your shutter finger get tired or were you just lazy? I am sooooo looking forward to those images as they emerge from the depths of your filing system – which Patty and I have designs on.
On a more serious note – what a privilege for you (and us) to see. Thank you.
Elephant’s Child, I spent most of today culling and as I suspected most of those crane behavioral images weren’t very good because of poor lighting conditions. There were about 2500 of them and they were a pain in the butt to cull! I do have a few interesting ones though and I’ll likely post some of them down the road.
I think Alison’s first sentence perfectly expresses what I felt when I looked at these images–especially in the second image!
Thanks very much, Sharon!
Ron
Had to go back and look at your post from 1-8-13 of the male dancing for his lady taken April of 12, I think. I realize we anthropomorphize but it sure looks to me like the male in this post is telling his mate that spring is here…well almost. Thanks. I look forward to more. Makes me hear their bulging loud and clear.
Diana, When I was teaching I used to strongly discourage anthropomorphizing in my students because they tended to take it literally. But now that I’m blogging I’ve softened my stance on it considerably. I do it too and think it often makes things more interesting. I just assume that most adults (the majority of my readers) recognize it for what it is.
Great shots!! Ah, spring is that special time of year!
Stunning flight shots of a beautiful Bird!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Oh joy… oh joy! What a special moment you captured in that second frame. I look forward to seeing more in the series!
Alison, I saw that posture/behavior several times as a mated pair was about to land amongst the other birds. I thought it was pretty neat.