Synchronicity

I spent Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning out at the Monte Vista NWR. It was my first time there, but definitely not my last!It is so incredible to see such a migration, like nothing I've ever seen or heard.

#2: A little display action.

#3: After so many years of shooting, I can honestly say that Wednesday's sunset was one of the best I've ever seen/photographed.

#4: Another in-flight shot.

#5: Silhouettes #1

#6: Silhouettes #2. This is Wednesday morning, and that would be (l-to-r) Ellingwood, Blanca and Little Bear peaks in the distance, all three over 14,000'. I cropped off the bottom terrain that was full of more birds, but interspersed with utility poles and power lines.

#7: Sunrise at the refuge.

#8: Sunrise at the refuge redux. That is all.

Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, and wow! 8 incredible captures, Todd. They are all too good for me to pick any one out.

Great set, Todd. I really like all 3 of the water shots.
Looks like you timed the birds and great light perfectly.

If you haven't made it to Bosque, you really need to experience the migration there in mid November.

Remarkable work and a complete success!!
And what a beautiful sunset you captured.
I may be interested in visiting next year. What telephoto lens did you use with these birds?

Great photos and especially the sunset Todd.

All good but I really love #5 with the birds silhoutted in the sky.

John, the longest lens I have is the Canon 100-400mm zoom, which is pretty average for landscapes, but dynamite (IMO) for photographing critters on a budget. (That would be photographing on a budget, not that the critters are on a budget. Do critters even use budgets?) I will say that 400mm isn't nearly long enough for birds, as evidenced by the fact that the blue-sky in-flight crane shots and the one of the crane displaying are crops from the original image, using perhaps 40-50% of the entire frame. But that also points to one of many advantages of a 21.1-mp full-frame camera, where there's enough real estate to crop and still have a lot of pixels. Being able to shoot at 800 iso and not be overcome by signal noise also helps.

I have a 1.4X TC, but I didn't want to lose the f-stop OR autofocus capability, so it stayed in the bag. Someday I'd love to rent something like a 1D Mk-4 and 600mm f4 to shoot down there. Bosque would be another option, but that would be more rental days, so lots more $$$.

Fantastic collection, Todd! Theyre all good but a couple really stand out for me: 2 & 5. I also like the sunset, makes me extra sad that all is saw was blue this morn BTW, Tue night is looking very very snowy, especially for the southern mountains, although i suspect Pikes Pk will get in on the action as well. I may post a little forecast here tonight, cause this may be the snow opportunity of the winter at least for southern CO.

Great stuff, Todd! #6 screams Colorado wildlife and #2 is a great behavior shot.

Fantastic shots Todd. The silhouette (#5) is my fav. Fantastic! Just in case you have any wall space left at home I suggest you print this big and hang it. If you have no wall space available you can send it to me...I have room.

Jim

So uh....your into birds now???? only took you what 40ish years?

#2 and #3 are real nice!

Thanks for the info., Todd!

Looks like a great place to visit this time of year. The sunset and in flight shots are cool. I half expected to see you at Garden of the Gods this morning after the snowfall, but I'm sure your quiver is full of those shots.
Thanks for the uplifting shots!

Todd these are all fantastic! I guess I just missed you. I got here late Thursday and have been shooting since. I am leaving on Sunday. Love what you did with every shot!

Todd adds another title to his ever impressive resume: bird photographer. These are great, Todd. Those in-flight photos are really fantastic. Good stuff, man!

Beautiful set, Love number 6

Todd, I just assumed all your shots would have clouds. What gives?

These are wonderful! Hard to pick a favorite, but I keep coming back to #4. Great stuff!

Seriously, you need to shoot more wildlife. I'm always impressed by your wildlife imagery. Every single one of these is STRONG though.

Great stuff Todd. I really like #2 and #4.

Nice haul and very impressive in-flight shots! Silhouettes #1 gets my vote.

Great images Todd! I need to head out there myself.