Nebraska Sandhill Crane Migration
Made my second annual trip to Nebraska to see the Sandhill Crane migration along the Platte River in Nebraska. Had a great time last year and had to try again. It was peak timing with over 200,000 Sandhill’s estimated to be in the area. Worked a 20 mile stretch of dirt back roads south of the Platte river east of Kearney, NE for 2 1/2 days. Only had one day of sun but it was tough shooting during mid-day with the sun out. It was a little chilly in the mornings with temp’s in the 20’s (deg F).
One lesson learned was that I should have taken my beanbag on this trip as my arm got worn out with handholding my 500mm lens out the car window for most of the trip. Took my tripod but didn’t use it as I opted to hand hold my 100-400 lens while on the railroad bridge over the river at sunrise and sunset. Ended up getting some decent sunset shots that I’ll post later.
Taken with Canon 1DX and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter, handheld
This Sandhill was being praised as he was getting ready to stick the landing.
1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
Mating dances were going on all around me, which was fun to capture.
1/800 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
1/1000 sec @ F11, ISO 1600, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
Some Cranes would pick up corn stalks from the ground and through them up into the air. Got several shots of this behavior.
1/1250 sec @ F13, ISO 2500, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 700mm
Foggy Sunrise
One more Nebraska Sandhill Crane photo for the road. Taken after sunrise over the Platte River in cool 16 deg F weather. The Sandhill’s launched before sunrise with some coming back to the river for some final photo op’s.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II mounted on tripod with Wimberley II gimbal head
1/800 sec @ F9, ISO 400, evaluative metering
Dancing Sandhill Cranes
To round out my Nebraska Sandhill Crane posts, the most fun was watching these birds do their mating dances. They would bow down and then jump into the air for all to see. Some would pick up corn stalks and throw them up into the air. The fields were full of Sandhill’s jumping all around. Good times. Just wish that I would have had my new camera on this trip. Can’t wait to go back next year.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II out the car window
1/500 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/400 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
1/640 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering
1/400 sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation
Sandhill’s in Love
These two Nebraska Sandhill Cranes were staying close together, which made for a good photo op. They mate for life and put on quite a show with their mating dance, which I’ll share more photos of that ritual in my next post.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4X III teleconverter out the car window
Aperture priority, 1/800 sec @ F5.6, evaluative metering, 700mm
Sandhill Wingspan
Spent several hours driving the dirt roads paralleling the Platt River in Nebraska where the Sandhill Cranes were feeding in the surrounding corn fields. With about 175,000 Sandhills in the area, there were plenty of photo op’s. This one had his full wingspan on display. Had some clouds which ended up being a blessing with the color in his feathers coming out. This nearly full framed shot is one of my favorites. Taken handheld out the car window. Some were too close and I should have taken off the teleconverter but didn’t want to take the time to do it.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x III teleconverter, handheld
1/400 Sec @ F5.6, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation.
Sandhill Crane Migration
I’ve always heard about the great photo op’s of Sandhill Cranes in New Mexico in Nov/Dec but never much about the migration back to the great white north in the spring in Nebraska. From Feb through April, 80% of the Sandhill Cranes in the world migrate through Nebraska and forage along the Platt River between Grand Island and Lexington, Nebraska. They feed on the waste grain in the corn fields to increase their body weight by about 20% before heading north to breed. They migrate to Canada, Alaska and even as far as Siberia based on tracking devices placed on some of the birds in Nebraska.
From seeing thousands of Sandhill’s feeding and dancing in the corn fields to tens of thousands of them landing and taking off from the river, it was an amazing time to be in Nebraska. The sights and sounds were incredible. More photos to follow. I’ll have to figure out how to post a video so that you can hear them talking off at sunrise.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens and 1.4x III teleconverter
1/640 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, handheld out the car window
1/400 sec @ F7.1, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, handheld out the car window
1/250 sec @ F10, ISO 800, evaluative metering
Avocet just Chillin
The last few weeks have been a challenge so it was good to get out again to take some shorebird photos, although the alignment of the stars must have been off yesterday.
While driving to Galveston, an electronic sign along the interstate showed that the ferry to Bolivar was going to be shutdown from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., which meant that I could get to Bolivar but couldn’t return on the ferry. A two-hour drive home going around Galveston Bay was the alternative. Turning around wasn’t an option as it was going to be low tide at Bolivar and the shorebirds were calling. Although I had spent quite a bit of time the night before getting prepared for this excursion, I decided at the last moment in my infinite wisdom not to take my camera bag. It’s too small to hold my 500mm lens when the 1.4x is attached. Bad decision as my supply of CF memory cards were in that bag. Luckily there was one 32 gig card in my camera that was enough to get me through the mornings shoot. Arrived at Bolivar before sunrise and geared up. Another glitch in the system was a hole in my rubber boot. Beginning to wonder if someone was trying to give me a major hint. Ended up ignoring the pending signs of doom and had a good time with capturing photos of Avocets, Willets, Marbled Godwits and Snowy Egrets.
There were hundreds if not a few thousand Avocets feeding just off shore. This lone Avocet landed nearby just after sunrise and rested on one leg with its beak nestled in his feathers. Got close to him by crawling on hands and knees and got this nearly full framed shot. He kept his eye on me but didn’t spook.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II with 1.4x teleconverter mounted on Skimmer ground pod with Wimberley II gimbal head
Aperture priority, 1/500 sec @ F8, ISO 400, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
Nearly Head-on Crash with Sandhill Cranes
My goal is always to get up close and personal with wildlife but this encounter was a little too close for comfort.
While taking my usual early morning tour of the Indiana countryside while on vacation, I rounded a corner while looking off to the left in a large field to see if any Sandhills were waiting for me. No luck on the left but suddenly caught a glimpse of something coming quickly from my right and three Sandhill cranes were flying right in front of my car. I locked up the brakes on the dirt road and missed them by a couple of feet at most. My reflexes are apparently still in tact as I was able to quickly hit the brakes and grab my camera on the seat at the same time to keep it from crashing into the dashboard. My life didn’t flash before my eyes but what did was the thought of having to tell my dad that I wrecked his car after getting hit by some very large birds. Luckily, that didn’t happen.
They were hanging out in the ditch on the right side of the road and darted in front of me. Apparently the family truckster, aka SUV, wasn’t very intimidating as they landed just on the other side of the road to my left. Grabbed my camera and started shooting. They were too close at 700mm so ended up taking off the teleconverter after several close-up’s. They gradually walked further away and were the subjects for my previous silhouette post once the sun poked through the fog.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens with 1.4x III teleconverter, handheld out the car window.
1/320 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +2/3 exposure compensation, 700mm
1/800 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering, 700mm
Sandhill Silhouettes
With some early morning fog and backlighting, these Sandhill Cranes were made for silhouettes. Since I’m a major fan of wildlife silhouettes, didn’t take much arm twisting to get me to take advantage of the opportunity. Used negative exposure compensation to darken the scene and enhance the shot. Taken handheld out the car window.
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens and 1.4x III teleconverter
1/1250 sec @ F11, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1 exposure compensation
1/1250 sec @ F11, ISO 400, evaluative metering, -1 exposure compensation
Sandhill Cranes in Indiana
Made a trip home to north eastern Indiana recently to visit family. It was later in the year than we usually go so wasn’t sure what to expect from a wildlife photography perspective. Was pleasantly surprised with the abundance of Sandhill Cranes that were near Mongo, IN. Went out several mornings at sunrise to find them. It was down to 37 deg F in the mornings, which felt great. Such a nice change from the Houston heat.
This was my first trip home with my 500mm lens. Had to drag it around the week before while on a business trip before heading to Indiana. It was worth the effort as I needed the extra reach with most of the shots. Didn’t have room in my suitcase for my tripod so had to handhold it.
Got a little too up close and personal with the Sandhill’s as I almost hit three of them with my car. More on that later…
Taken with Canon 7D and Canon 500mm F4 IS II lens, handheld
1/20 sec @ F4, ISO 800, evaluative metering, +1/3 exposure compensation
1/125 sec @ F5.6, ISO 800, evaluative metering
Sandhill Cranes Lift-off
Here are a few Sandhill Cranes from my trip to Indiana in May. Didn’t see many this year but was able to get close to these two. They were feeding in a field around sunrise and I followed them in the car down a dirt road. I had to keep backing the vehicle up as they walked to keep up with them. They finally stopped and took off and flew right in front of me.
Taken with Canon 7D and 100-400 lens, handheld out the car window.
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, spot metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, ISO 400
1/800 sec @ F 5.6, spot metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, ISO 400
1/400 sec @ F 5.6, spot metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, ISO 400
1/2000 sec @ F 5.0, spot metering, +1/3 exposure compensation, ISO 400
Tim Timmis Photography 