Pair of Sandhill Cranes calling while in flight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On my post a few days ago I mentioned I saw Sandhill Cranes on my trip to southern Utah. I was disappointed that I didn’t get high quality images of cranes displaying their courtship behavior because they were too far away.
The evening I photographed these sandhills was supposed to be clear according to two different weather reports that I accessed on my phone but the weather forecasts were wrong, the sky filled with clouds and basically looked like skim milk by the time later afternoon came around. I was photographing a pair of cranes foraging on the ground when a pair of Sandhill Cranes calling in flight flew over and I took a series of images of them.
Sandhill Cranes in late evening flight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Even though I didn’t have the golden light or blue skies I had anticipated I am satisfied with these two images of the Sandhill Cranes. In this frame the female had the lead and the male was behind her. I’m sure that later this year I will have more opportunities with sandhills and quite possibly acquire the courtship display images I had hoped for on my trip south.
Being there with them, seeing the cranes in flight and hearing their rattling call was enough for me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sandhill Crane photos plus facts and information about this species.
LOVE the curl to those wing tips in the first photo. Megathanks.
Beautiful photos. These birds make a stop along their migratory route in southwestern Ontario, Canada. 🙂
Yes, life is good. Thank you for these lovely photos.
These are wonderful shots…show how amazingly streamlined these guys are….beautiful!
Wow!
Gorgeous images, Mia.