Sandhill Crane Liftoff

Gallery: AvianPosted February 3, 2015132 views12 comments

December 30, 2014 at Bosque del Apache near Socorro, New Mexico This shot was taken at 7:30 AM on a wonderfully clear day. The low light in the horizon gave every photo nice warmth. The night before was well below freezing and the legs of this Crane have ice bracelets from standing in the pond as it froze over.

Nikon D4 Nikkor 600mm lens ISO800 1/1000 f/5.6 RAW Manual White Balance Auto Tripod with a Wimberley gimbal Processed in Lightroom, PhotoshopCC2014, NIK and TK

Thank you so much for your comments. I learn so much from all of you.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on February 3, 2015 at 11:31 PM

Whew that's a stunner, Patrick!

Gorgeous tones throughout, I love the horizontal banding of opposite colours, and the light on the crane is phenomenal. More than all that, your timing , techs and comp are off the charts here. Just a fantastic image.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Morris on February 3, 2015 at 11:41 PM

Patrick, I love the colors in this. Orange and blue go great together, and the light across the crane shows what must be early morning sunrise. I am glad you pointed out what the rings were. I thought maybe the cranes was hobbled somehow.

Registered on January 23, 2015, 38 Posts, 104 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 4, 2015 at 2:08 AM

Wonderful light you had here on the species - the ice on the legs is a priceless detail ! Great ! Hans

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 4, 2015 at 5:34 AM

Sweet flight action captured in beautiful light Patrick

Love those curvy wing tips, that background is awesome too.

A Beauty!!!

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on February 4, 2015 at 8:19 AM

Curved wing tip? Check! Awesome background? Check! Gorgeous light? Check!

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on February 4, 2015 at 11:39 AM

Amazing light on this one Patrick. Great wings and I love it when they have the ice bracelets. Nice detail throughout.

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 4, 2015 at 12:19 PM

Excellent, Patrick. Sweet light, perfect timing on the wingbeat and ice bracelets to top it off. A fine shot!

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on February 4, 2015 at 12:46 PM

Beautiful image in that terrific light. Hindsight is always 20/20 but stopping down a stop or two might have brought the wing tips into better focus. The ice brackets are so cool!

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on February 4, 2015 at 8:10 PM

Hi Patrick,

I like the torque in those wing feathers. Lighting and pose are ideal. The background is soft enough to not distract from the subject of the composition......................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 5, 2015 at 1:39 AM

Lovely light and wing position Patrick

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

Comment posted by David Bogener on February 5, 2015 at 1:49 PM

Love the warm light and wing position captured.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 6, 2015 at 7:09 PM

Lovely light and excellent flight position Patrick. The ice rings are very cool to note–great shot!

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