neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Took a trip to the Kearney, NE area last weekend for a chance to photograph an amazing
migration. Approximately 650,000 +/- cranes converge on a stretch of the Platte between
Kearney and Grand Island, NE about this time every spring. Bridges and the Audubon Society
and other organization provide viewing area, some free and some for a charge. The cranes stop
at this site (for eons, now) to rest and stock up for the remaining flight to points far north
in Canada, Alaska and some to Russia. The birds roost on the river away from predators
such as coyotes during the night and spend the day out in the farm fields picking up
left over corn and the like. They return to the river each night about
8:00-dark and fill it up. About 8:00 am, they take off in large, noisy groups for the fields.

I selected the Photographer's blind at the Rowe Sanctuary (an Audubon site) near Kearney
for a morning and an evening shoot. I was guided to my blind by a knowledgeable
volunteer, in the morning in the total dark and in the evening long before the birds begin
the flight back to the river.

I shoot a Canon 6D with three lens: Tamron 150-600 (original), Canon 300 L, and a Canon 24-150 L.

The blinds put you amazingly close to the birds.

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The birds dance for each other as a part of counting even though the pair mate for life.

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Found the whooping cranes near a farm pond about 20 miles from the river and about 1/4 mile from my camera.

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mcmama

Beautiful birds, and beautiful captures.

HCB iii Loc: Delray Beach, Florida

My wife and friends did this same trip two years ago. It was a life changing experience. But to see Whooping cranes- Wow! Thanks for sharing.

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Thank you

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Thank you

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Very nice set, Neal!

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Thank you

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

What an awesome experience! Thanks for sharing your photos!

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Amazing pictures...

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Thank you

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Thank you

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Lovely pics, Neal … thanks for sharing ….

Oh, btw … on the "dancing" pic … think you meant "courting" … NOT "counting" … right?

Neal … one more thing - could you explain the "blind" concept - for those of us unknowledgeable … ?

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Yes, I was trying to type “courting.” Thanks for the btw.

Blinds: Blinds are structures build along the Platte where the birds will likely roost. Each structure has room for a number of bird watchers/photographers. There are viewing windows that have doors on them. The doors are opened when each watcher is in place and camera equipment set up. It costs about $35 for a spot in the blind. A blind specifically for photographers costs $85 or so this blind offers each person Mose space. If you go to the Rowe Sanctuary on the web, you can see photos of the blinds. Guides get people in the blinds at least an hour prior to bird activity.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Thanks for explaining that, Neal … how long do you get to be in the "blind" for that $85? … All day, is it?

neco Loc: Western Colorado Mountains

Not all day. About 3 hrs.