Stained adult Sandhill Crane in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning I spent ten minutes taking Sandhill Crane images high in the Wasatch Mountain Range after finding a pair of cranes next to an alpine creek. The cranes paid no attention to me sitting in my Jeep because I was above them.
Sandhill Crane foraging on the edge of a creek – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Both of the mated pair of Sand Hill Cranes were actively foraging in the dark mud and vegetation of the creek.
I loved the contrast of the stained feathers of the cranes against the vibrant green vegetation. I also liked that I could see a few of the gray unstained feathers on both birds.
Alert adult Sandhill Crane high in the mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While I photographed the pair of cranes a noisy diesel truck rumbled past me on the road and that noise did cause this crane to go on alert.
Note: If you are going to do bird photography using a vehicle as a mobile blind, purchase a quiet running vehicle.
Creekside Sandhill Crane looking for food – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The dark silty water of the creek reflected the cranes in a lovely way. Watching these cranes forage and feed felt very relaxing to me.
Sandhill Crane finding food next to a creek – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As I photographed the pair of Sandhill Cranes the only thing I felt sad about was that they didn’t have young with them. I’m guessing that their nesting attempt was not successful this year.
Adult Sandhill Crane and bright green sedges – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I believe that the bright green vegetation that the cranes were foraging in are sedges but I could be wrong. I can’t get down to the creek to verify that they are sedges because the cranes and the creek are on private property.
Sandhill Crane poking around for food – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The green vegetation was highly appealing to me especially at this time of the year. So much of the vegetation in northern Utah has turned brown from the heat and high temperatures we have had this summer.
Sandhill Crane standing in mud – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As I observed and photographed this pair of Sandhill Cranes I noticed how graceful they were when they moved and how they moved with purpose at the same time.
Adult Sandhill Crane changing direction – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I also noticed that the cranes were careful where they placed their large feet in the dark mud and how their feet sank into it.
Sandhill Crane with an eye on food – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, -0.7 EV, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I enjoyed the time I spent watching and taking images of these beautiful Sandhill Cranes high in the Wasatch Mountain Range. The only problem I had was selecting which of the 256 images I took to share here this morning. I picked these ten photos.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Sandhill Crane photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful shots, thanks for sharing!
Of course it was relaxing. And restorative – as seeing your images is for me.
Your image selection was perfect.
Coincidentally, I sat for 20 minutes last week watching a family of Florida Sandhill Cranes feeding in a pasture. It won’t be all that long before we’ll be seeing large numbers of migrants joining the locals.
“Watching these cranes forage and feed felt very relaxing to me.” Amen to that.
Why were the feathers stained?
Good Morning, Mia … thank you for posting this series of these magnificent birds – so glad you had the opportunity to observe them