Posted by Nat Coalson on June 22, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Photograph made in January 2006 at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. There is a wooden landing, called the "Flight Deck" where photographers gather to catch the action.
The cranes roost overnight in a very large, but shallow pond, where their feet get frozen in the ice. As the sun rises and the ice thaws, the cranes yank their feet out and take flight to nearby fields where they spend their days eating corn. They then return to the water at night, where they are safe from predators.
This shot was made handheld - I could not pan fast enough using my tripod to catch all the action as hundreds of cranes took off over a period of about an hour. I used a Canon 10D and 75-300 IS lens.
Mornings are bitter cold at Bosque in January (about 8,000 feet in elevation). Although it was probably 10 degrees at the time this shot was taken, I like how the light looks so warm.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on June 22, 2006 at 12:21 PM
Hey Nat, when in January were you there? If it was Jan 7-8 we were probably standing next to each other.
At the time I was still waiting for my Wimberly head and, like you, I finally gave up on the tripod for the close flight shots. Next time I'll see if the Wimberly makes much difference for me. Handholding a 500mm at Bosque for a few hours is just not my idea of having fun.
Posted by Rene Pirolt on June 22, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Now that is an awesome image! Nice job!
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on June 22, 2006 at 12:56 PM
Very nice photo Nat. I find the tree a little distracting, but I love how the backlight reveals the transparent wings of the front crane. Thanks for posting.
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on June 22, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Nice shot, Nat! I, too, like the backlighting in the wings and the warm colors. I would never have guessed it was that cold.
Bill-
We were there Jan 11 and 12. Sorry to have missed you! Bosque is really a special place, eh? I have some shots of the eagles I'm sorting through and may post later.
Momo- thanks for the critique, I was wondering about the tree... as you know the hard part about getting these kinds of shots (panning) is that the background is constantly changing. It's rare that everything all comes together perfectly.
Next time, I will also attempt to make the "ideal" composition and see if the birds will fly into the frame. I started out doing that last time and got impatient - I felt that I was missing too many opportunities, that's when I switched to handheld and just started tracking the birds as they took off.
There are a couple other locations at Bosque that offer a bit simpler backgrounds, too.
Very nice. I like the way the wings on the first bird are lit up.
RichieV
Posted by Scott Buckel on June 22, 2006 at 2:32 PM
Nat - I have seen lots of images from Bosque (including many of my own) and this is one of the more unique ones I have seen. I like going in Late November - it is usually warmer! Nice capture. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for posting this image - I'm not so sure about the tree. The cranes are so strong and the backlighting through the wing so different, that this is a very powerful image.
Congrats for adjusting your technique and getting THE shot!
Dave Showalter
Posted by Scott Borger on June 22, 2006 at 7:12 PM
What Jack said: "Love the light on the wings." Looks like you're getting the hang of that 300mm IS.
Posted by Mark Ferguson on June 22, 2006 at 11:32 PM
As Nat and I did the tour of New Mexico last January he encouraged me to post one of my selects from Bosque. This was done with a Canon 20D, 500mm IS, and 1.4 extender shot from a tripod using a Wimberley Sidekick.
Nat and I will be leading a workshop to Bosque and other locations in New Mexico this coming January. While it will be cold in the morning we'll be fully stocked in the field with hot coffee, breakfast, and, of course, a means to keep your batteries warm and functioning. Be sure to check out the info on the workshop at http://www.workshopsforphotographers.com.
Discussion
12 repliesThe cranes roost overnight in a very large, but shallow pond, where their feet get frozen in the ice. As the sun rises and the ice thaws, the cranes yank their feet out and take flight to nearby fields where they spend their days eating corn. They then return to the water at night, where they are safe from predators.
This shot was made handheld - I could not pan fast enough using my tripod to catch all the action as hundreds of cranes took off over a period of about an hour. I used a Canon 10D and 75-300 IS lens.
Mornings are bitter cold at Bosque in January (about 8,000 feet in elevation). Although it was probably 10 degrees at the time this shot was taken, I like how the light looks so warm.
Comments and critiques always appreciated.
PS - my workshops company is leading a group to Bosque and White Sands in Jan 2007... for info please visit http://www.WorkshopsForPhotographers.com
At the time I was still waiting for my Wimberly head and, like you, I finally gave up on the tripod for the close flight shots. Next time I'll see if the Wimberly makes much difference for me. Handholding a 500mm at Bosque for a few hours is just not my idea of having fun.
We were there Jan 11 and 12. Sorry to have missed you! Bosque is really a special place, eh? I have some shots of the eagles I'm sorting through and may post later.
Momo- thanks for the critique, I was wondering about the tree... as you know the hard part about getting these kinds of shots (panning) is that the background is constantly changing. It's rare that everything all comes together perfectly.
Next time, I will also attempt to make the "ideal" composition and see if the birds will fly into the frame. I started out doing that last time and got impatient - I felt that I was missing too many opportunities, that's when I switched to handheld and just started tracking the birds as they took off.
There are a couple other locations at Bosque that offer a bit simpler backgrounds, too.
RichieV
Thanks for posting this image - I'm not so sure about the tree. The cranes are so strong and the backlighting through the wing so different, that this is a very powerful image.
Congrats for adjusting your technique and getting THE shot!
Dave Showalter
Nat and I will be leading a workshop to Bosque and other locations in New Mexico this coming January. While it will be cold in the morning we'll be fully stocked in the field with hot coffee, breakfast, and, of course, a means to keep your batteries warm and functioning.