I got back back last night from my annual pilgrimage to Bosque del Apache to photograph the cranes among other things! I spent 4.5 days there and was fortunate to have some great conditions and some incredible light. I never get tired of photographing the cranes and worked a bunch on shooting flight, take-offs and landings looking for the artful image. Here are a few I have processed so far!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Posted by Roger Rouch on January 1, 2011 at 2:59 PM
What a great set of photos! I have a few favorites, but they are all nice. An option for the first might also be to crop the top portion for a pano. You really did have some nice light.
I have only seen cranes at a distance, and even at that have considered them a very majestic bird. Thanks for showing these.
Posted by Doug Koepsel on January 1, 2011 at 5:04 PM
Nice set of action/flight images. The quartet of crooners in the first is rather interesting for its timing all 4 to lift up and sing. Would agree with Roger about possibly cropping the top.
Posted by John Mumaw on January 1, 2011 at 5:55 PM
These are simply amazing, Stephen. Avian ballet captured masterfully!
I like each and every one of these, but the first and last are really special.
The semi-pano. crop of #1 is perfect. One of the best images I've seen from this place.
My only suggestion would be to 'lose' the vegetation that parallels the neck of the bird on the left and then bisects its beak. It's the only flaw (IMO) in this fantastic choir!
Great stuff, as always, Steve. I like the crop to pano and might even take a wee bit off the left but that's just me. How were the numbers this year? Last year I was there mid-January and the locals said the numbers were down from a normal year. There were still tons of birds so a normal year must be amazing.
Bill
The numbers were great. They planted the corn fields this year so the geese were there in big numbers (30K) and Lots of cranes (15K!!) I am always amazed when I go there but this is one of my best and most productive years yet!
Posted by Kurt Bowman on January 1, 2011 at 9:11 PM
I like your take on all of these Steve. My favorite is probably the 6th image. I must have walked right by you. I was there on Tuesday (all day) and Wednesday morning. Mostly at the outer crane pools.
Discussion
19 repliesHappy New Year Everyone!
I have only seen cranes at a distance, and even at that have considered them a very majestic bird. Thanks for showing these.
I like each and every one of these, but the first and last are really special.
The semi-pano. crop of #1 is perfect. One of the best images I've seen from this place.
My only suggestion would be to 'lose' the vegetation that parallels the neck of the bird on the left and then bisects its beak. It's the only flaw (IMO) in this fantastic choir!
The numbers were great. They planted the corn fields this year so the geese were there in big numbers (30K) and Lots of cranes (15K!!) I am always amazed when I go there but this is one of my best and most productive years yet!