Sandhill Cranes (Page 2): I like 2,3 and 4 most. I sometimes see a couple of sandhill cranes at a reserve in our area, they let me get pretty close, which I appreciate!

photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Jim Carter wrote:

I went to Jasper Pulaski State Park in Indiana Last Wed. At this time there is about 15000 Sandhill Cranes there for a stopover on there way to Florida. [I hope to follow soon]. There isa great viewing platform to photograph the birds. I got there at sunrise to find a lot of fog. I didn't think they would fly in the fog, but a few did. After a while the lifted and was able to get a few shoots.

I like 2,3 and 4 most. I sometimes see a couple of sandhill cranes at a reserve in our area, they let me get pretty close, which I appreciate!

merrytexan Loc: georgia

Jim Carter wrote:

I went to Jasper Pulaski State Park in Indiana Last Wed. At this time there is about 15000 Sandhill Cranes there for a stopover on there way to Florida. [I hope to follow soon]. There isa great viewing platform to photograph the birds. I got there at sunrise to find a lot of fog. I didn't think they would fly in the fog, but a few did. After a while the lifted and was able to get a few shoots.

I like the perspective and sharpness of #2 .
The colorful group shot is so cool...love it.
Very nice set jim!

JohnM Loc: Springfield, Illinois

Jim Carter wrote:

I went to Jasper Pulaski State Park in Indiana Last Wed. At this time there is about 15000 Sandhill Cranes there for a stopover on there way to Florida. [I hope to follow soon]. There isa great viewing platform to photograph the birds. I got there at sunrise to find a lot of fog. I didn't think they would fly in the fog, but a few did. After a while the lifted and was able to get a few shoots.

I get the weekly count from Indiana DNR and have been wanting to make the trip for a few years now but fear its not going to be productive with my 300 mm lens, the longest lens I have. Still, if they dont leave with this cold snap I am going to try to make the drive anyway so at least I can see them first hand, thank you for the nice teaser :-D. Makes me want to go even more even tho its a bit further for me than you.

Carolina Wings Loc: Flew from North Carolina to Pennsylvania

Jim Carter wrote:

I went to Jasper Pulaski State Park in Indiana Last Wed. At this time there is about 15000 Sandhill Cranes there for a stopover on there way to Florida. [I hope to follow soon]. There isa great viewing platform to photograph the birds. I got there at sunrise to find a lot of fog. I didn't think they would fly in the fog, but a few did. After a while the lifted and was able to get a few shoots.

Nice set Jim

Sylvias Loc: North Yorkshire England

Excellent set Jim, especially enjoyed #3 and the colours of the last one are beautiful.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

We never saw sandhill cranes until they clearcut the property behind us and North of us for a real estate development. Now they destroy our flower beds looking for insects and crap all over our our lawn. They've invaded the entire neighborhood. They do have a great wingspan, but they are pests in a subdivision.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Very good shots, Jim!

Annie-Get-Your-Gun Loc: Byron Center, Mi

Jim Carter wrote:

I went to Jasper Pulaski State Park in Indiana Last Wed. At this time there is about 15000 Sandhill Cranes there for a stopover on there way to Florida. [I hope to follow soon]. There isa great viewing platform to photograph the birds. I got there at sunrise to find a lot of fog. I didn't think they would fly in the fog, but a few did. After a while the lifted and was able to get a few shoots.

Great series, Jim. All of these are fantastic captures. I've never gotten any that measure up to these but looking at these makes me want to emulate yours.

JohnM Loc: Springfield, Illinois

romanticf16 wrote:

We never saw sandhill cranes until they clearcut the property behind us and North of us for a real estate development. Now they destroy our flower beds looking for insects and crap all over our our lawn. They've invaded the entire neighborhood. They do have a great wingspan, but they are pests in a subdivision.

its so sad what they have to resort to when there habitat is destroyed, we had similar problems with geese in a subdivision I lived in Florida, you couldnt let the kids out to play or walk to the door up your sidewalk without a water hose to wash off before you went in. Its a pain at best

Floyd2 Loc: Littletown WI

Thanks for sharing the photos Jim. Been thinking about shooting the Sandhills and now gotta get that in the photo bucketlist

Jim Carter Loc: Momence, Il.

rlaugh wrote:

Excellent work James!!

Robert, Thanks for the compliment. Looks like it's kinda cool down there. Did you forget to close the door when you left MI. LOL

Jim Carter Loc: Momence, Il.

photophile wrote:

I like 2,3 and 4 most. I sometimes see a couple of sandhill cranes at a reserve in our area, they let me get pretty close, which I appreciate!

Thanks Karin. Don't get to close, I think they about half mean.

Jim Carter Loc: Momence, Il.

merrytexan wrote:

I like the perspective and sharpness of #2 .
The colorful group shot is so cool...love it.
Very nice set jim!

Thanks MT. When your on the viewing stand they fly right over your head. I didn't think the group shoot would turn out very good because they were so far out and still in the fog.

Jim Carter Loc: Momence, Il.

JohnM wrote:

I get the weekly count from Indiana DNR and have been wanting to make the trip for a few years now but fear its not going to be productive with my 300 mm lens, the longest lens I have. Still, if they dont leave with this cold snap I am going to try to make the drive anyway so at least I can see them first hand, thank you for the nice teaser :-D. Makes me want to go even more even tho its a bit further for me than you.

Your welcome, John for the teaser. You should be able to get some good shoots with your 300 because they fly very close to the viewing stand. You almost have to be there for daybreak because as soon as it gets light they start to jump and fly in small groups. The sun is at your back and they fly to the sun. You can also drive the backroads around the parks and find in the fields. Sometimes they are quite close to the road.I use to use a 70-200 w/ a 1/4 teleconverter.

Jim Carter Loc: Momence, Il.

Carolina Wings wrote:

Nice set Jim

Thanks Jan. I knew a birder like you would like them.