Whooping Crane

Gallery: AvianPosted March 18, 2012349 views15 comments

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, TX. March 16, 2012

Endangered Whooping Crane with Gulf Salt Marsh Snake.

D3. ISO 2000. 500/4 with 1.4x tc. f5.6 1/1600s +0.7ev with spot metering. Taken from a boat traveling in the Intracoastal Waterway. Gitzo with Wimberly. Strong winds with early light and heavy clouds. The light got better later in the day, but no snake then!

The whooping crane is the tallest North American Bird. Endangered and down to just 24 by 1941, there are estimated to be about 600-700 (per 2011). They winter in several locations along the Gulf of Mexico. I saw about 10-12 during my outing on Saturday.

I tried to see them by land for the last 2 years, but it can't consistently be done with any success. My good friend had the time to seek out a great guide, Kevin Sims of Rockport, TX. Many thanks to him for his skill, knowledge and patience (and bird etiquette). And to Melody for all the work she put into this trip.

See my husbands hilarious video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mex40_3pUL0&list=UU67XiEiPkGZ8pWVy1U75ZkQ&index=1&feature=plcp

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on March 18, 2012 at 7:14 PM

Beautiful image of a rare bird! And I like the way the snake is curved. Also, the bg is very nice.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on March 18, 2012 at 7:36 PM

Nice Angela - great capture of a tough bird to find and some great action, congratulations. I tried to go out with Kevin when I was down there last month, but he was'nt available - bummer! I did get a shot of a crane waaaaaaay off in the distance - so this is what they look like. Well done and thanks for sharing. Video is hilarious!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 18, 2012 at 7:42 PM

Excellent catch! Love the snake -
From here, there are blu-ish parts of the bird that need correction (neck and tail).
The image might also benefit from increased contrast - a bit flat as is.
Fine image surely worth a bit more processing!
Great video- and the cooking ones too!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 19, 2012 at 12:09 AM

I remember reading about the endangered cranes years ago and good to read their numbers are improving. A wonderful shot considering you were photographing from a boat. I really like the overall composition, the larger image shows some very nice detail on the crane and the action with snake is a real bonus, excellent shot Angela, very well done.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 19, 2012 at 1:07 AM

Congrats, I'm glad you got the Whooping Cranes down there Angela, and with a good sized snake as well, great capture, maybe warm it up a touch?

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 19, 2012 at 10:51 AM

I am completely jealous Angela! Yes, this is a very hard bird to locate and get a shot of. Great job on the whiltes and just love the fact you managed a capture with the snake included. Nice work!

I think the processing looks natural to my eye.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 19, 2012 at 12:34 PM

A solid image of this species made even better by the snake. Seeing a few from the Whooping Crane boat out of Rockport on 12/4/90 was a real thrill and I can still recall many things from that boat ride brought back by this image.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 19, 2012 at 2:36 PM

Very nice detail from a tripod on a boat Angela, and a neat hunting scene well captured.

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on March 19, 2012 at 4:15 PM

Great capture of behavior of a great bird. Glad you had the opportunity and you took advantage of it with this image. I also enjoyed you husband's video a lot. A lot of talent in your family.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 19, 2012 at 5:45 PM

I read all the details of your trip, sounds great Angela.
You should be be proud to have this wonderful shot of the endangered Whooping Crane..
My satellite internet won't let me view the video right now, will view it later.
Excellent!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on March 19, 2012 at 7:02 PM

Well done angela. I love the setting and having the snake all curvy makes this image unique.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 19, 2012 at 7:16 PM

Congrats on capturing this Whooping Crane, Angela. This is a species I would really love to have in my files. The snake is a huge plus.
Great job on the whites.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 19, 2012 at 10:10 PM

Sweet Whooping Crane photo Angela, with a snake and no leg bands that I can see. Big

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 20, 2012 at 9:06 AM

what a treat just to see one of these birds, Angela, let alone capture such a cool photo! the setting, the comp, the snake are all fantastic. I strongly agree that warming things up and adding a bit of contrast would really make this sing.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on March 22, 2012 at 7:47 AM

Excellent catch Angela, Very nice setting, I like the muted green colors. Great catch with the snake.

Ray

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