I usually have opportunities to photograph Sandhill Cranes on my visits to Montana’s Centennial valley and this past trip in early September was no exception.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
Even this late in the season they were still displaying for each other. Watching this behavior at the same time I’m hearing their very loud rattle calls roll over the landscape in a truly wild place simply thrills me to pieces. This bird is performing for its apparent mate…
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
who is out of frame to the right.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
A looser crop reveals both birds.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
Here’s a closer look at the pair (notice the larger size of the male). Adult Sandhill Crane plumage is an ashy slate gray but it becomes stained through the application of soil (which provides camouflage) and the oxidation of iron compounds in that soil. Sometimes the resulting color is a stunning cinnamon-rufous. By this time of year (September) the cranes in the valley have lost most of that color but…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
when they arrive in the springtime their staining is pretty dramatic (this image was taken in the valley on June 28, 2014). Notice that the staining goes only as far up on their neck as they can reach with their bill.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I thought I’d include this image (taken the day after most of the images presented here) to show the wildlife spectacles that are possible in the Centennial Valley. A large mixed flock of Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes were feeding together in the grasslands when a Pronghorn buck sprinted toward them from the right. The birds weren’t bothered by the fast-approaching mammal until he stopped and turned around to face the other direction. That spooked the geese and they all flew off but the cranes held their ground. Soon the Pronghorn continued his journey and the cranes went back to feeding peacefully.
Ron
Note: I’ve returned home much earlier than planned from my camping trip to southwest Utah, largely because of a lack of birds. More on that later. This post was scheduled before I left.
i love the last photo where you can see all of the different species together.It is very dramatic colouring. i have seen Sandhills here in Albertsa but would love to hear a flock overhead. Thanks for the direction to Cornell recordings.
Beautiful shots and great information!
Beautiful choreography…beautiful shots….so sorry it wasn’t more successful for you…hope the change of scenery had some good moments…a Lakota friend claims every experience has a “gift” for you…even if it’s difficult to recognize at first sometimes…you just have to be open to it…..I hope, in retrospect, there was at least one for you….
Patty, We had more than one “gift” – we saw some spectacular new country for us in the Mojave and we did see some interesting birds but mostly they were too far away for good images. I always enjoy your Lakota references.
Oh WOW!!! You were in paradise Ron! What a beautiful series… Thank you for sharing!
Thanks very much, Rima.
I particularly liked that last one. I like seeing them all together.
Thanks, Arwen. That image shows only about half of the cranes and geese that were there.
Wonderful images (as always), Ron! I think I might have mentioned to you that I will be taking a “meritorious” road trip next June that will include the Centennial Valley. As time draws closer, may I email you off-post for some planning guidance? BTW, I have had the road trip planned for some time, but your photos are what caused me to include a couple of days in the area. Thanks!
Sure, Dick – I’ll be happy to help out with trip planning. Who knows, maybe we’ll be there at the same time…
Great series of photos! I especially like the second one, which reminds me of Vanna White showing off a prize display (that shows how old I am…). 🙂
Thank you, Susan.
Interesting. I’ve never seen the stained birds. Sorry about you having to abort your SW Utah trip.
Thanks, Dave. It was a bummer to come home as early as we did, but staying turned out to be mostly pointless.
What gorgeous, sensational shots Ron! Thanks so much for sharing them. Makes me wish I could come to the Valley!
Charlotte
I hope you can visit the valley one day, Charlotte. A trip there takes some significant planning though, especially if you’re planning on staying more than one day. Thank you.
You travel to such beautiful areas. Beautiful shots Ron, and a lucky find!
Yes, I do travel to some “beautiful places”, Jean – sometimes I find birds and sometimes I don’t. Thank you.