I have had some great times in the past shooting pictures of Sandhill Cranes, both in Colorado and New Mexico. I've always heard that if I really want to see cranes on their northern migration, I needed to go to the Platte River in Nebraska. My Spring Break this year coincided perfectly with the projections for peak migration, when roughly half a million cranes were expected to stop over along on an 80-mile stretch of the river. So the time for my pilgrimage had finally arrived!
Scanning the skies regularly revealed small flocks heading to or returning from the fields.
As the sun set, silhouettes presented the best opportunities.
...until golden hour began in full, when warm sunlight bathed the birds flying to the fields.
I loved both the chaos of some groups...
One thing I've learned over my years of photographing birds in flight is that I always wish my lens was bigger and faster. But then I get home and process my shots, and realize that my trusty Nikkor 80-400 zoom still does just fine. :)
More to come!
Related Links:
