Uploads from ~andre, tagged sandhillcrane, with geodata

Family outing

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:15:23 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Grass Lake, Ontario

Photographing cranes proved to be a really challenging task - the AF was constantly grabbing the grass around the cranes, the branches in the background or some other crane. I could feel my focus ring move back and forth non-stop and I could see how in a 2-3 shot burst, the front crane would be in focus in one shot and then in the next shot, the crane in the back would be in focus.

The color of the background was another challenge - finding a dark spot behind the cranes was tricky on its own and doing that while waiting for at least two of them to pull their heads out of the tall grass was even more challenging. All in all, despite total lack of high-speed action, these 25 minutes were most exciting I can remember in a long while.

Walking with cranes

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:15:23 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Grass Lake, Ontario

I was photographing dragonflies when another photographer pointed to the field and I saw a family of cranes. I got a bit closer while staying on the road, hoping that they wouldn't fly away. The cranes kept walking along the field and the other photographer and I followed them very slowly. The cranes didn't seem to mind.

"Can I have that, Mommy?!"

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:15:23 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Grass Lake, Ontario

Cranes are such good parents. From time to time the little one saw that one of the parents found something tasty and rushed in to grab it. The parents didn't mind and let the baby enjoy their finds.

"Look what I got!"

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:15:23 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Grass Lake, Ontario

You can't see it at this size, but the baby is holding something red in his beak, which looks like a beetle of some sort.

Little one

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:15:23 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Grass Lake, Ontario

The last time I saw this baby crane a few weeks ago, he (or she) was barely reaching his parents' knees. It's amazing how fast they grow!

Keeping watch

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:15:24 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Grass Lake, Ontario

From time to time, one of the cranes made sure that both photographers are still at a safe distance and then continued their feast.

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 22:05:26 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

I waited for hours at the side of Grass Lake. Other photographers and bird watchers came and went and I only saw sandhill cranes far away a couple of times. When the sun started touching the tips of the trees behind me, I thought that was it for today, and then this beautiful bird flew by at distance, barely enough for a tight crop. Nevertheless, it was worth the wait!

nobody@flickr.com (~andre) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:18:04 -0700

~andre posted a photo:

Big Creek Marsh, Ontario