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DPChallenge Forums >> Individual Photograph Discussion >> Picture of Sanhill Cranes in flight.
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Showing posts 1 - 22 of 22, (reverse)
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 03/11/2005 02:21:33 PM · #1
Yesterday, I took this picture of Sandhill Cranes flying overhead when I was out taking photos. They stop in our valley every spring and fall during their migration. Every year, I try to get good pictures of them but they are very shy and hard to photograph (for me, anyway!).



This is the best one I've taken of them in flight. Perhaps some of the other bird watchers on DPC might have some other crane pictures to share.
 03/11/2005 02:24:34 PM · #2
Nice shot, these are some really beautiful birds. I guess they are all leaving us (TX) now. I have really enjoyed watching them this winter along with the whoopers.

Tom
03/11/2005 02:27:37 PM · #3
Originally posted by ovenbird:
Nice shot, these are some really beautiful birds. I guess they are all leaving us (TX) now. I have really enjoyed watching them this winter along with the whoopers.

Tom


Do you have any pictures? There used to be a couple of Whooping Cranes that traveled with the flocks that come here during the spring and fall. I once managed to get a very distant shot of one of the Whoopers. Last fall when they came through the valley I don't think any of the Whooping cranes were with them.
 03/11/2005 02:34:19 PM · #4
Wonderful shot Sammie! All the experimental Whoopers in the valley are gone now. Great meeting with you and Jack this week. Van
 03/11/2005 02:35:25 PM · #5
Sammie, those are so clear and beautiful! Ever since DPC, I find myself really enjoying wild birds more and I am getting quite an interest in them now. Great shot.
 03/11/2005 02:39:17 PM · #6
Since I don't have any crane shots, I took the liberty of playing with yours. I set background color with eyedropper from the center of the sky, added and inch all around, selected BG and used gaussian blur (elimnated slight colour edges in new "border"), then applied and faded a plug-in that vignettes and adjusts saturation at same time.



Robt.
 03/11/2005 02:43:37 PM · #7
Birds are what has detoured me from challenges lately... I set up a few feeders near my window and have been dabbling with photographing my feathered friends. Next thing I knew I was buying field guides and lusting after 4 digit focal lengths :)

I haven't posted them in my DPC gallery yet, but some of my shots are here.

Watch out for focal length fever - whether you shoot finches or cranes, birds will always make your best glass feel inadequate in reach.
 03/11/2005 02:45:51 PM · #8
Originally posted by bear_music:
Since I don't have any crane shots, I took the liberty of playing with yours. I set background color with eyedropper from the center of the sky, added and inch all around, selected BG and used gaussian blur (elimnated slight colour edges in new "border"), then applied and faded a plug-in that vignettes and adjusts saturation at same time.


It looks really different now. I wish I was better at Photoshop, guess I'll just have to look for some on-line classes so something. What I tried to do and couldn't - was to lighten the shadows under their wings without making it weird looking.
 03/11/2005 02:50:13 PM · #9


I saw my first whoopers last year during the fall migration - two adults and a juvenile. My lens was far too short to get any pictures, though :( Unfortunately there was a rather nasty incident here where some hunters shot and killed 3 whoopers thinking they were sandhill cranes so things have been a little tense.
 03/11/2005 02:50:16 PM · #10
Originally posted by cghubbell:
Birds are what has detoured me from challenges lately... I set up a few feeders near my window and have been dabbling with photographing my feathered friends. Next thing I knew I was buying field guides and lusting after 4 digit focal lengths :)

I haven't posted them in my DPC gallery yet, but some of my shots are here.

Watch out for focal length fever - whether you shoot finches or cranes, birds will always make your best glass feel inadequate in reach.


My system hangs when I try to view your bird shots. Let me know when you post some here - I would love to see them, if you remember. Thanks!
 03/11/2005 02:52:30 PM · #11
Originally posted by Sammie:
It looks really different now. I wish I was better at Photoshop, guess I'll just have to look for some on-line classes so something. What I tried to do and couldn't - was to lighten the shadows under their wings without making it weird looking.


If you're into birds, photoshop is the easiest of things that need learning. Learning to get in close, or to be in the right place at the right time takes patience and time but makes all the difference. For a reactive shot, yours was composed nicely and quite clear. Stick with it, study the birds you are going after, and you'll be amazed what happens :)
 03/11/2005 03:02:45 PM · #12
I have lots of pictures of them, unfortunately they arenĂ¢€™t on line at the moment. If you ever make it out to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge I would highly recommend this tour:

//www.texaswhoopers.com/

I was easily able to get pictures just like the one on the page with the crab.

These are really neat birds to say the least.

Tom
03/11/2005 03:06:04 PM · #13
Originally posted by cghubbell:

If you're into birds, photoshop is the easiest of things that need learning. Learning to get in close, or to be in the right place at the right time takes patience and time but makes all the difference. For a reactive shot, yours was composed nicely and quite clear. Stick with it, study the birds you are going after, and you'll be amazed what happens :)


Your bird pictures are very nice - I recognize some of the same types that come to my feeder. I very rarely can get good photos of the birds that come to our feeder unless I take them through the window. The minute I go outside they all fly away. The feeder is hanging right outside the window and they don't mind you watching them from the inside but they don't stay if you go outside.

03/11/2005 03:09:26 PM · #14
Originally posted by moodville:
I saw my first whoopers last year during the fall migration - two adults and a juvenile. My lens was far too short to get any pictures, though :( Unfortunately there was a rather nasty incident here where some hunters shot and killed 3 whoopers thinking they were sandhill cranes so things have been a little tense.


The crane picture you posted is really nice, Moodville - I wish I could get something this close up!
 03/11/2005 03:17:16 PM · #15
Originally posted by Sammie:
The minute I go outside they all fly away. The feeder is hanging right outside the window and they don't mind you watching them from the inside but they don't stay if you go outside.


You pretty much need to figure out when they come... Mine are pretty predictable. Position yourself outside ahead of time, ideally with some kind of a blind or screening, then just move really slow when composing. They get used to you eventually. I usually make sure I have a small stool that puts me at a comofrtable height for a low tripod. You are more still of you're sitting on something.

I've also done quite a bit of photography through windows. Keep your glass clean and you can get away with it most of the time.
 03/11/2005 03:19:49 PM · #16
Left you a comment. Nice capture sammie!
 03/11/2005 03:29:40 PM · #17
They are beautiful birds of flight. National geographic has a live cam
site at The Platte River Valley near Kearney, Nebraska where more than 500,000 rest and feed up on their northern return migration.

//magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/cranecam/
 03/11/2005 03:45:27 PM · #18
Originally posted by Sammie:
Originally posted by cghubbell:

If you're into birds, photoshop is the easiest of things that need learning. Learning to get in close, or to be in the right place at the right time takes patience and time but makes all the difference. For a reactive shot, yours was composed nicely and quite clear. Stick with it, study the birds you are going after, and you'll be amazed what happens :)


Your bird pictures are very nice - I recognize some of the same types that come to my feeder. I very rarely can get good photos of the birds that come to our feeder unless I take them through the window. The minute I go outside they all fly away. The feeder is hanging right outside the window and they don't mind you watching them from the inside but they don't stay if you go outside.


I used to use camo netting over the camera aimed thru an open window. I set up a window bird table and clicked away quite happily and didn't disturb the birds as they fed. This was a few years ago and using my EOS 650 SLR. I will have to scan some to add to my portfolio.

Steve
 03/11/2005 03:50:04 PM · #19
Originally posted by Formerlee:
I used to use camo netting over the camera aimed thru an open window. I set up a window bird table and clicked away quite happily and didn't disturb the birds as they fed. This was a few years ago and using my EOS 650 SLR. I will have to scan some to add to my portfolio.
Steve


That's close to what I usually do. Since I work from home, I'm in front of that window 10 hours a day. My desk height is a perfect level for my collapsed tripod. Fortunately, most of the birds I see (excepting the woodpeckers) have grown almost accustomed to me. As long as I move slowly they don't usually care about my presence.

I have a new flock of cardinals that's been hanging out, and they're a bit skittish still, but getting better each week. Haven't had good enough lighting to shoot them yet (welcome to Rochester, NY - dark and overcast every day!) but hopefully soon.
 03/11/2005 04:06:08 PM · #20
Originally posted by whatdewuc:
They are beautiful birds of flight. National geographic has a live cam
site at The Platte River Valley near Kearney, Nebraska where more than 500,000 rest and feed up on their northern return migration.

//magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/cranecam/


Thank you for this link! I added it to my favorites so I can check it out often. There are so many interesting web cams on the internet.
 03/11/2005 04:09:53 PM · #21
Originally posted by Formerlee:

I used to use camo netting over the camera aimed thru an open window. I set up a window bird table and clicked away quite happily and didn't disturb the birds as they fed. This was a few years ago and using my EOS 650 SLR. I will have to scan some to add to my portfolio.

Steve


I'd love to be able to do this! Our windows open in such a way that it's hard to take a picture through the opening. Also, in the summer we have so many flies (we live near cows and horses) that you can't even open the window for a minute unless it's screened to prevent the house becoming full of flies. It really surprises me that the birds that come to our feeder don't seem to mind you standing right there watching them through the window but won't stick around if you go outside.
 03/11/2005 04:13:26 PM · #22
Originally posted by Sammie:
Originally posted by Formerlee:

I used to use camo netting over the camera aimed thru an open window. I set up a window bird table and clicked away quite happily and didn't disturb the birds as they fed. This was a few years ago and using my EOS 650 SLR. I will have to scan some to add to my portfolio.

Steve


I'd love to be able to do this! Our windows open in such a way that it's hard to take a picture through the opening. Also, in the summer we have so many flies (we live near cows and horses) that you can't even open the window for a minute unless it's screened to prevent the house becoming full of flies. It really surprises me that the birds that come to our feeder don't seem to mind you standing right there watching them through the window but won't stick around if you go outside.


Build yourself a portable hide and position it near to the feeder. Leave it there for a couple of days so the birds get used to it before trying to take any shots. Then set up the camera, get a flask of coffee and go sit out there and wait...

Just one hint, don't try this if you live on the fourth floor!!

Steve
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