Sandhill Cranes in Flight

[larryj]

This image was taken at the Bas Del Apache National Wildlife refuge in New Mexico. While we we there there were 8500 sandhill cranes on the refuge,
and over 42000 light geese, mainly snow geese. It was an incredible sight. We had to leave after a day and a half to complete our road trip to California. I was so pumped from the experience that after we returned to Denver I took off the following weekend and drove back down there for another 2 days of shooting.
Image was made with the Sigma SD1 Merrill and the 50-500 OS lens.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Really nice and to be in the vicinity of that many Sandhills is great

 

[larryj]

Here is a group of 4 Sandhills flying below the skyline and in front of a lake with several dozen Sandhills mining around , quite an interesting site!

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice bird in flight captures in both images. I am guessing this was a rather noisy place to hang out waiting for photo opportunities.

 

[larryj]

Nice bird in flight captures in both images. I am guessing this was a rather noisy place to hang out waiting for photo opportunities.

Yes it was noisy place, but the noise of the takeoff of light and snow geese at sunrise is unbelievable, sounding like a jet taking off. Log on to the Friends of the Bas Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge and they have Videos from the refuge, including the sights and sounds of the geese taking off. They start by making noise and then hit airborne at about the same time. Wow, 40+ thousand geese hitting the air at the same time, incredible!

 

[Jon Bev]

The numbers you quote are truly incredible, The North West of the states favors wildlife, is it the terrain or the climate? in any case, it is a photographer's paradise. lucky you.

 

[Trent Watts]

Wonder if they will be flying over my house on their way up north to nest. I heard a flock high up in the sky today.

 

[Peter Michal]

Here is a group of 4 Sandhills flying below the skyline and in front of a lake with several dozen Sandhills mining around , quite an interesting site!
View attachment 58811

Beautiful photos, Larry. I won't see so many cranes in our country...

 

[larryj]

Thanks for the comments everyone, that are very much appreciated. The 2 cranes flying against the blue sky is one of my favorite from 2 trips down the the Bas del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The peak in bird concentrations occur in mid-November to mid-December. Friends of Bas del Apache has a web site that keeps count of the various birds in the Refuge starting in November each year.

 

[JimFox]

Wow Larry, these are great! Your photos remind me that I need to stop by there sometime. I have been to White Sands many times, so I have driven by there, I just never took the time to stop. Maybe later this year I should make a point to going by there.

 

[larryj]

Wow Larry, these are great! Your photos remind me that I need to stop by there sometime. I have been to White Sands many times, so I have driven by there, I just never took the time to stop. Maybe later this year I should make a point to going by there.

I recommend you stop there and plan to spend a couple of days minimum. I stopped there for half a day on the front end of a road trip to Californa and was so impressed, I drove back down there the weekend after I got back to Denver from a 10 day road trip. It was worth it!

 

[Eric Gofreed]

I love Bosque Del Apachie. Love your crane photography too, LaryJ

 

[larryj]

I love Bosque Del Apachie. Love your cran photography too, LaryJ

Thanks again for your nice comments Eric. I agree the Bosque Del Apache is awesome, I hope to make a few more trip down there in the next few years.