Sandhill Cranes

[rtbaum]

Last year, at this time, I began posting my first real attempts at bird photography with the sandhill cranes of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. I have been studiously following Christina's threads. I think that my skills have improved somewhat, approaching them is still a challenge

I was inspired by Christina's work towards BIFs, although she clearly has made much more progress than I have, I am relatively happy.


Coming in for the landing


The Landing

At dawn, the cranes are getting restless in the wetland where they roost (inaccessible to the public to protect the birds), I positioned myself at the edge of a recently harvested field which already had a large flock and waited.



After 2 hours, they still would not land close enough for the shots that I so desired. I moved on, stopping when I spotted groups in closer proximity


The result was always the same

It is back to the drawing board they say

[Brownbear]

Hi Randy,

I adore #2 for the birds and the wonderfully, beautiful composition! And I think #3 is amazing... All those birds beautifully focused and exposed, and wonderful depth of field! When I look at #3 I think a square crop omitting the last two birds on the right hand side would also work well.

[rtbaum]

As you wish



It does seem to be a better composition

Christina- I want to thank you for your contributions on this site: as you learn, we all learn.

[rtbaum]

Although not exactly a keeper, this shot is of the closer of two groups, the other was at least quadruple in size. The estimate from this weekend was around 5000 individuals

[Brownbear]

Hi Randy,

I'm not the best cropper, and now I'm not sure which is best... But l do adore this image, and especially #2 with the country background and the cranes out and about. Beautiful image.

[Brownbear]

It's a nice image... Thank you for sharing. Lucky you all those cranes!

Although not exactly a keeper, this shot is of the closer of two groups, the other was at least quadruple in size. The estimate from this weekend was around 5000 individuals

[jcuknz]

The trouble with the crop is that the birds have nowhere to go whereas cloning out the top right bird, which doesn't bother me really, would appear to show the complete flight and somewhere for them to go. I am interested in what is going on on the left where the second row tail bird seems to have a reflection from water under it ??? But it seems higher up than the bottom row.
Puzzlement and Puzzlement
To use numbers again we have from bottom 3-3-3-1 and 1 over on the right equals 11 ... odds are good

[rtbaum]

The trouble with the crop is that the birds have nowhere to go whereas cloning out the top right bird, which doesn't bother me really, would appear to show the complete flight and somewhere for them to go. I am interested in what is going on on the left where the second row tail bird seems to have a reflection from water under it ??? But it seems higher up than the bottom row.
Puzzlement and Puzzlement
To use numbers again we have from bottom 3-3-3-1 and 1 over on the right equals 11 ... odds are good

Nope...no water. I am sure that the light is from the low sun. These flights occur when the sun rises and sets. My success rate took a huge jump when I realized the flocks would pass directly overhead and then bank to land, catching the light to my advantage.