Sandhill Cranes

[Rita]

About an hours drive from my home is a bird sanctuary where the migrating Snow Geese gather. When the entire flock has arrived it is estimated to be somewhere between 70,000-100,000 birds. Well, there were only a few that has arrived so I will go back in a couple of weeks when the site will be really impressive. The day was not lost as there were numerous Sandhill Cranes in the area. This is the first time I have seen these amazing and large birds. Here are a few shots to share with you.

These are of different birds throughout the day, I put them together to try and tell a story.

I am open to critique so fire away with any ways I can improve


1. Posing


2. Drying off after having a bath.


3. Grooming


4. Looking pretty

[John 2]

Interesting series and I like them all but no.s 1&4 stand out.

[bnnrcn]

Hi Rita, my favs are #1 and #4 too The area around the head in #4 is a bit too bright, darkening it if possible might help head to stand out more, but it is just an idea, it might work or not.

[Shadowman]

Very nice, why do they always have to pose on the wrong side of the sun?

[NorthernFocus]

Nice set, Rita. Nos. 3 and 4 are awesome.

[Rita]

Thanks John.

Binnur, I will take a look at darkening it to see what I think

John, I wish I knew the answer to why they pose the way they do. And of course there hardly ever seems to be a viable way to reach the other side either

Dan, thank you so much.

[Dave A]

Really nice shots and great light on #3.

Dave

[Rita]

Thank you Dave.

[IzzieK]

I particularly love #1 because it looks like it is sun worshipping. The grooming version in #3 is a very good exquisite shot and #4 is just as beautiful and engaging...it will be worth going back a few more times to this place and shooting more...Cranes are one of my favourite birds.

[Rita]

Thank you Izzie. I am planning to try and make this place something of a regular location. With fall setting in we do tend to get a lot of rain so I am not sure how regular it will be. I am really hoping to get back for the snow geese. The migrating flock that comes in is really an impressive sight to see.....and very noisy.

[FootLoose]

I like the 4th shot, Rita but I wonder if you need a bit more depth field?

[Rita]

Hi Greg, appreciate your feedback. This was taken at f2,8 because I wanted a nice blurred background but I could have used something like f8