Sandhill Crane

Gallery: AvianPosted February 11, 2012788 views22 comments

One more landing Sandhill Crane from Bosque del Apache--I think this is the best of the bunch. This was on my last morning, and at the farm loop, all the birds which had been pressed right up against the road for the previous few mornings were way back a few hundred yards and out of range this day. But a few cranes came in close to the road, and I was lucky to get this one, the only individual I got keepers of that morning.

I appreciate your critiques and comments. Please view the larger version if possible.

f/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400

Crop to 88% of original (15.9 of 18MP)

Canon 7D, 500mm + 1.4x TC, tripod

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 11, 2012 at 6:08 PM

Love the wing position and the gold background, nice light. Detail in the larger version is excellent.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 11, 2012 at 7:33 PM

Brian,
Terrific detail in the larger image. It's a must see. Great wing spread, superb light, concentration from the bird, and eye contact. Colors are eye popping. I actually like the fact that you can see a few birds in the background and they are pleasingly OOF. Sweet image Brian!!

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 11, 2012 at 8:01 PM

Perfect exposure. The OOF cranes in the BG could be easily cloned out, if you were of a mind. I also understand any reluctance to do so, and their presence is minor. Good shot.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on February 11, 2012 at 10:47 PM

One has to view the larger photo to fully appreciate this excellent shot. Great detail in wings, sharp focus, good depth of field (I think the birds in the background add to the shot from an environment standpoint.) Nicely composed, giving the Crane room to land in. Oh to have this one in my collection.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on February 12, 2012 at 3:20 AM

Wonderful shot, Brian. I like the light and the perfect details on the wings and the body.

Congrats

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on February 12, 2012 at 6:54 AM

I like the wing spread -- its hard for me to get big birds to look good -- but you did a great job getting this landing -- I like the way the brown outer feathers outline the sides and bottom of this crane.

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 12, 2012 at 8:38 AM

Superb. Sharp and the feather detail is amazing. Good job.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on February 12, 2012 at 10:13 AM

Wonderful shot with excellent timing. The large image is stunning with its colors and details. Love the details of the layers of feathers in the spread wings.

Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on February 12, 2012 at 12:26 PM

Beautiful shot and perfectly composed. I like the BG and the other birds in the background just give it a sense of place IMOP. Well done!

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 12, 2012 at 12:31 PM

Beautiful shot- Gorgeous light, fantastic pose and a perfect exposure job on this image- My congrats, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 12, 2012 at 1:52 PM

It's awesome ! I like all about it, the sharpness on the head is great and the wingspread..

Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jaymes Dempsey on February 12, 2012 at 4:35 PM

Wonderful shot, Brian! I love the light, the pose, and the colors! Great eye, too...
Jaymes

Registered on June 28, 2010, 47 Posts, 590 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 12, 2012 at 5:54 PM

Stunning, Brian. Beautiful landing pose and gorgeous light. Print this one life size!

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 12, 2012 at 9:01 PM

I agree: very beautiful detail in that large image, Brian. This fellow looks like he's going to fall over on his back!

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 12, 2012 at 11:59 PM

Cool shot, Brian. I like the lighting and open wing position. Well done.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 13, 2012 at 9:25 AM

This is one sensational image Brian. The feather detail is excellent and the lighting is gorgeous, and I love the completely loaded flared wings cushioning the touchdown-terrific!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 13, 2012 at 1:00 PM

Wow!!! Look at all that detail

An awesome landing photo Brian!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on February 13, 2012 at 6:01 PM

Excellent timing, Brian. Nice detail in the larger image. Wonder if there's more room at the top in the original.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 13, 2012 at 8:42 PM

A spectacular landing shot Brian, I think the position of the bg birds isn't ideal but that's very minor, you could clone them out I suppose but I probably wouldn't have either, nice job

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on February 14, 2012 at 10:03 AM

Hello Brian

Great Image, Sharp Detail where it matters. & especially with Difficult exposure , So many wonderful things about this Impressive Image !. Detailed Feathers are Amazing !

TFS

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 14, 2012 at 10:29 AM

Wow, way to cool Brian, wonderful timing and what a wing display. Very nice detail in the larger image. I like that you can see one eye and the background compliments the image, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on February 15, 2012 at 9:11 AM

Nice wingspread, good detail, excellent light and the colors work well together.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments