The Take-Off

[rtbaum]

Note to Self........Sandhill Cranes do not care for recorded Calls

[Wavelength]

Excellent... did you take the consecutive stages as a sequence...that would be really a great sequence, if achieved

[Shadowman]

Nice shot.

[IzzieK]

Good one, Randy...why do they have different eye area colour? Are they indicative of male/female thing?

[madcrow]

Great capture, timing and sharp. Well done.

[rtbaum]

Excellent... did you take the consecutive stages as a sequence...that would be really a great sequence, if achieved

Thank you for the kind words

I did capture a sequence as they traveled across the field, but it does not add significantly and focus is soft. I will add a couple more that illustrate the before and after:



This shot is just before; note the posture of the juvenile, it indicates that flight is imminent.



And here I captured the moment of transition into flight

[Donald]

View at full size in the lightbox. It's worth it.

Wonderful image, Randy. Exposure, composition - all just right.

[rtbaum]

Good one, Randy...why do they have different eye area colour? Are they indicative of male/female thing?

The difference is between Adult and Juvenile

[rtbaum]

Thank you, John.

[rtbaum]

Great capture, timing and sharp. Well done.

Thank you, Maurice. This is an example of many hours of watching the behavior of the subject species. Note the posture exhibited in the added photos, I knew what came next and was prepared......and was lucky

[rtbaum]

View at full size in the lightbox. It's worth it.

Wonderful image, Randy. Exposure, composition - all just right.

Thank you, Donald. I like to think that I am getting better at capturing images of this annual spectacle. Getting close enough to capture an usable image is a challenge for me, I'm beginning to be able to gauge when the flock is getting nervous and I stop and sit motionless, without any eye contact until they become comfortable. It is apparent that recorded calls are a bad idea. It has been a learning experience.

[Wavelength]

The other ones add to the story; really well done

[Donald]

Thank you, Donald. I like to think that I am getting better at capturing images of this annual spectacle. Getting close enough to capture an usable image is a challenge for me, I'm beginning to be able to gauge when the flock is getting nervous and I stop and sit motionless, without any eye contact until they become comfortable. It is apparent that recorded calls are a bad idea. It has been a learning experience.

I wrote very recently that knowing and understanding the subject is as important as knowing you equipment. This is a perfect example of how your dedication to the subject allows you to get in a position to capture pictures that very few others would be able to get.