Sandhill Cranes

[Barbara Ponder]

I happened upon these Sandhill Cranes while in Galveston today. They were either fighting or mating or fighting about mating......

[NorthernFocus]

Hey, Barbara. That's cool that you found them. Those two look like they're fighting. But the male/female dance in a very similar manner. I think the feet raised is suggestive of fighting. Never seen them do that before.

That's one thing I shot early in my bird shooting days that I'd like to get another crack at(i.e. the dancing). I used to live within a few minutes of a refuge where they passed through spring and fall during migration. Where I live now there's no place within less than an hour or so drive other than stumbling upon the odd bird here and there.

[Barbara Ponder]

Dan, It was so fascinating watching them. I had seem a huge group while going down a country road. I was not sure what they were, they looked almost like ostrich from far away but it seemed strange that there would be an ostrich farm in the marsh. I saw this small group and took advantage that they were close enough to get some shots.

Having lived here you know that birds are plenty in this area. I had no idea that we got the cranes here but then again I am fairly new to the bird scene.

[John 2]

Great series Barbara. Nos. 1 and 2 are especially good captures. They look like playground delinquents all standing around in a circle cheering on the two fighting in the middle.

Just watched an excellent three programme series made by the BBC on Alaska. Part of it featured the mass migration of Sandhill Cranes from Alaska to overwinter in Texas. It goes without saying that some of the photography was spectacular.

[Shadowman]

Nice series, very sharp.

[chauncey]

I happened upon a group of them cavorting around a mud pit one morning. Around here they tend to
hang out in left over cornfields and are a brownish color. Interesting color difference.

[deetheturk]

Nice series Barbara, well captured

[Barbara Ponder]

Great series Barbara. Nos. 1 and 2 are especially good captures. They look like playground delinquents all standing around in a circle cheering on the two fighting in the middle.

Just watched an excellent three programme series made by the BBC on Alaska. Part of it featured the mass migration of Sandhill Cranes from Alaska to overwinter in Texas. It goes without saying that some of the photography was spectacular.

John, It was kinda of like that! There were a couple of Cranes on the side trying to break it up. When it was all said and done they walked away but then turned back to each other and went at it again, very entertaining.

I will have to look to see if I can find the series it sounds like it is something I would enjoy watching.

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice series, very sharp.

Thanks John!

[Barbara Ponder]

Nice series Barbara, well captured

Thanks David!

[Suzan J]

Hi Barbara: Sand Hill Cranes are one of my favourite birds. Here, in Northwestern Ontario, we tend to see them in very small groups in the spring and sporadically over the summer. Come fall, they appear to gather in large flocks for the big trip down south. I had recently watched a presentation from a fellow from Grand Marais Minnesota who said that there is a huge colony of these birds who over winter in Nebraska. Apparently, you can rent a blind and see literally thousands of these beautiful creatures. I really like the action shots, especially Number 2.

[jprzybyla]

Hi Barbara, nice series of some magnificent birds. I love Sandhill Cranes, often they are on the golf course in my backyard. A couple things that I see could make your images better. Not sure if you post process your images or not, but if you do. You could level the line of the pasture where it meets the tree line. If the image quality would allow you could crop tighter to the birds eliminating what is not necessary in the image. If it is the bird or birds that the image is about crop tighter on the bird or birds. If it is the environment/habitat that the bird lives in that the image is about crop looser. Thank you for sharing.

[John 2]

......... I will have to look to see if I can find the series it sounds like it is something I would enjoy watching.

Barbara, it's Called "Alaska - Earth's Frozen Kingdom". It is definitely on BBC i Player but I suspect that you may not be able to access it. However there seems to be at least one whole episode on You Tube. I suspect that all three will be there somewhere.

[Barbara Ponder]

Hi Barbara: Sand Hill Cranes are one of my favourite birds. Here, in Northwestern Ontario, we tend to see them in very small groups in the spring and sporadically over the summer. Come fall, they appear to gather in large flocks for the big trip down south. I had recently watched a presentation from a fellow from Grand Marais Minnesota who said that there is a huge colony of these birds who over winter in Nebraska. Apparently, you can rent a blind and see literally thousands of these beautiful creatures. I really like the action shots, especially Number 2.

Thank you Suzan!

[JohnRostron]

I'm jealous! Such elegant birds. We don't get cranes in the UK. There is a small breeding program that hopes to re-introduce European Cranes and it is rumoured that, with climate change, they might even get here to breed of their own accord.

John

[Rebel]

Awesome images Barbara, well captured!

[marlunn]

I'm jealous! Such elegant birds. We don't get cranes in the UK. There is a small breeding program that hopes to re-introduce European Cranes and it is rumoured that, with climate change, they might even get here to breed of their own accord.

John

Lovely series Barbara, envious of you being able to be so close to them

John, have a look here - http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/all-news/...stern-britain/

[Barbara Ponder]

Awesome images Barbara, well captured!

Thanks Matt!

[Barbara Ponder]

Lovely series Barbara, envious of you being able to be so close to them

John, have a look here - http://www.wwt.org.uk/news/all-news/...stern-britain/

Thanks Mark!

[Nicks Pics]

Cool captures of the cranes. I haven't seen them do this sort of action before. I think the best frame is probably #2. Tell the cranes to come back up north next time you see them. They have been gone for only 4 or 5 months now