Not Bosque

Gallery: AvianPosted November 9, 2010329 views12 comments

Sandhills at Sunset. I liked the extra warmth the sunrise light added.

I've been very disappointed that I could not get to Bosque again this fall, as I'd planned.

However, after a day at the Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve on Saturday, I'm convinced again that it is every bit as spectacular as Bosque del Apache, but much less crowded, much less expensive, and far more accessible.

Hundreds of thousands of geese and ducks, large flocks of ibis, numerous songbirds, herons and egrets, raptors after all of them (baldies, cooper's, redtails, peregrines, kestrels), thousands of sandhills, plus jackrabbits, muskrats and more.

D300
500 mm
500mm
1/4000 sec, f/4
Mode: Av
Metering: Multi-segment
ISO: 640
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO
Flash: Off

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 9, 2010 at 4:18 AM

Nice one Sandy - love your comp and the fine line of the mountain ridge in the background

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on November 9, 2010 at 6:35 AM

Very nice moody shot Sandy, sounds like a great place.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 9, 2010 at 9:11 AM

Sandy,

I think I'd much rather spend a few days at the Sacramento National Wildlife Reserve than Bosque but I admit that I do not like crowds around me when I am photographing, probably why I never once considered photographing at the Gator Farm in FL. And it sounds like there is plenty of bird action at the Sacramento NWR.

I love the distant hills in the background of this image, the cranes and the various positions of their wings. If you have a bit more of the original frame on the right side I might consider adding some back in there for a little more space in front of the lead bird, but that is only my personal preference.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 9, 2010 at 10:41 AM

This is very nice Sandy. I really like the ascending flight path, the nice separation of most of the cranes and the OOF background hills. I too would allow a bit more room on the right if I had it.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 9, 2010 at 11:15 AM

Nice composition, Sandy.

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

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on November 9, 2010 at 4:40 PM

Very nice image, Sandy. Those red heads are leading the way and everything falls into place behind. Great formation and exposure.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on November 9, 2010 at 4:43 PM

Very nice, Sandy. I like the composition, colours and the BG.

COngrats

D&L

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 9, 2010 at 5:20 PM

Excellent shot Sandy, I like that you can see just enough detail, very cool.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 9, 2010 at 9:38 PM

Sweet crane formation in great light!!! Very Nice Sandy

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Dan Moore on November 9, 2010 at 10:49 PM

I would agree about a little more space to the right.We have had a few nice shots of flocks lately and I like this as much or more than any.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on November 10, 2010 at 12:34 AM

Wonderful capture Sandy.... I can't help but wonder how great this would look as a 20 x 30 print!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 10, 2010 at 1:24 PM

I really like this one Sandy, neat to get so many and not have many touching each other in the frame.

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