A morning with the cranes

I recorded this one morning a couple weeks ago. I like to watch the cranes wake up routine and listen to their raucous calling as they leave the roost each morning. As the season progresses they spend more time warming up making for even more interesting dancing and stretching routines.

Blue

The last of this week's series on color and the last shot of cranes flying for awhile. I'm working on a video of crane activity in the morning, however it's currently twice the length of my usual minute movies so there is some serious editing to do before it is published.

Sleeping Crane

This crane fell asleep on the nest while I was watching it yesterday. There are several things you never hear wildlife photographers talking about. I'm sure more could be added.

1. Watching grass grow.
2. Watching ice melt.
3. Watching sleeping wildlife.
4. Waking up with a back ache after an afternoon chasing butterflies while hunched over and carrying your gear.
5. Don't forget the ticks, and phantom ticks, after laying down on wet grass to get the ultimate macro shot.

And you think its wet

I'm not sure who looks more miserable.

Technical: I chose a journalistic approach and did not clone out the branch through the beak. Still image taken with Canon C100 using a 500 mm lens. Shot from the portable Toyota blind.

The sandhills are back.

Cranes have returned to Crex Meadows and are busy on the ice. This pair has selected a corner of Grettum Flowage to raise a family. If you look closely you can see a band on the female's leg. I contacted David Fronczak (Migratory Bird Management) who said this bird was hand raised at Necedah NWR in 2011 as part of a whooping crane project. Necedah is about 200 miles southeast of Grantsburg. What a story she could tell!

Technical: Recorded with Canon C100 using 100-400mm lens. 

Saturated

Each August I start anticipating the arrival of the sandhills.  In early September patrolling of the flowages to see the arrival of the first birds begins.  In October the sunrises and fly ins at dusk cannot be missed.  November is my crane photography month, the crowds are back home, and cold mornings cause the birds to linger.  Ice brings them closer to the road and the light is warm until mid-morning.  At some point each year crane saturation occurs.  I've seen another migration, life is good.

Flying High

Tomorrow at this time this will be the mood of a lot of people.  Photography and politics have a some things in common.  If you concentrate on the process both are very interesting.  If you worry about the outcome, each can be equally frustrating.

Stepping softly

It's all about light! November is usually the month of subtle color and flat light.  Let's hope for some days of sunshine before the cranes head out.  Image taken from the truck window using a bean bag for support.

Taking a Bath

I have been watching cranes at Crex for years but have never seen this behavior.  Several cranes were bathing before and after these scenes were recorded on Grettum Flowage.  I could have titled this "Crane Gymnastics"

After Sunset

The full moon was reflecting off the water creating a spot of light to work with well after sunset.  Recorded using the 500 mm lens.

Warming Up

As the sun rises so does the energy level.  Isn't that true for everyone?  There was no rush to leave with the temperature well below freezing on this clear morning.

Chilly Cranes

These Sandhills were warming up this morning in the clear, calm, 12 degree air.  After sunrise they began stretching and later headed out to feed.  Photo gear was stretched to its technical limit shooting at ISO 1600, 1/90 sec. with the 500 mm on a car braced tripod.

Full Moon at Crex

There was a tremendous full moonrise last night but the cranes were scarce.  Either there are fewer cranes this year or they are more scattered.   Most of the cranes seem to be on the north end of the Refuge.  It will take a few more mornings to get a better impression of the 2012 crane season.

On the Move

We are passing through Crex Meadows today on our way to Duluth so had to check out the cranes.  The crane viewing and photography is the best in years with birds being close to the dikes in multiple locations.  The light and drizzle this morning were not the best for photos but the rain is much needed.

Morning Exercise

The cranes are a daily source of enjoyment and a few good photo opportunities.  These birds coincidently filled the frame and provide three stages of take off.

Wake up call

You can almost hear their call to the other cranes flying overhead.  It's crane season at Crex Meadows and the early morning action has been fantastic.

Crane Morning

The cranes are back and this was my first morning photographing them.  A beautiful but chilly 22 degrees when I pulled out of the driveway.