I use the method described above in the youtube video given to us by Jim-Pops. I learned it from a Lynda.com video. It is good, short and clear. I use the modes reversed from what's demonstrated but that's beside the point... I am curious about others' experience with this set up. When I depress the subselector to shift from the default to my choice of modes, the subselector has to be pressed directly down or it will not activate. Frequently, I find myself jamming away on the subselector and it "misses" several times until I hit it precisely at the correct direction of pressure point. Needless to say, the shot is long gone by the time I've got it activated correctly. I love this feature on the D500! It is fantastic and one of the features I most value on the camera. I am very interested if others have experienced and solved this problem. Please share if that's the case. Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all your kind responses! May we all care for what we love!

Ghost Ranch is one of the iconic places in New Mexico. It has a fascinating history, including cattle rustling, Native American sacred places, dinosaur bones, movie settings, Georgia O'Keefe and many more notable facts. It is known for brilliant skies, beautiful light, stunning canyon walls and a very mystical/spiritual ambiance. Currently it is used as a family and group camp, and location for many art, history, spiritual workshops. It is one of New Mexico's treasures!

I'm sure my wife will get down there in the morning! Thanks!

Beautiful shot!! I've not seen one either...where did you find him?

Beautiful birds! Beautiful shots! Stellar focus! Great work!!! BdA is my most favorite place on earth! Cranes are incredible! Their cry is jurassic; they dance, jump, bob and show sticks in the air to impress; mate for life, hang out in extended families; and have a history with humans going back forever!! You did them proud!

Thanks for the replies folks! I think I'll consult an ornithologist about the weird neck...

Thanks for the viewing!

The cranes had a bit of trouble on take off last weekend. There was ice on the pond, so some slipping and sliding on the runway. The elegant and graceful birds get awkward and hilarious as they slip and fall...just like we do! The last photo captures a crane with an oddly shaped neck...I've never seen this before, or least never noticed. Anybody have ideas?

Getting around ABQ without a vehicle is a problem. If you are limited to using bus from your hotel, it'd be important to know where the hotel is... If you want to get tuned up for the BdA, get to the "Open Space" off of Mantano and practice on the cranes, ducks and geese there. Or at the Nature Center. ABQ is a city that you will probably need to rent a car... Bummer.

Thanks for replies! These are such magnificent birds and the Bosque is a place designed to get people close yet allowing the birds to feel secure. I saw an eagle feeding on a goose, and when eagle left, a coyote hustled over to pick up the left overs and trotted off. I got some photos of both but the distance prohibited sharp pictures.

One of the things I enjoy most about photographing cranes is their take off sequence. The pattern begins with the cranes leaning into the wind - it will stretch it's neck lower to the water and maybe take a step. Then sometimes, they seem to "call off the take off" and meander around a bit. Then by twos and threes or many, they will lean into the wind again, begin taking a step, then hit the boosters and start running. This stage is point of no return, they're committed, and charge ahead in movements that are both awkward and elegant at the same time. They race down the runway, flapping their huge wings, until enough speed is gained to begin lift off. Sometimes they bounce once or twice before clearing the water and begin to gain altitude. With luck, they then bank and fly directly overhead...more often they head else where, but sometimes they seem to buzz the photographers. You can actually see them turn their heads to look directly at you. With just a touch of imagination you know they make eye contact. As photographer says "thanks for the pose", the crane seems to say, "...thanks for shooting me with that camera instead of a shotgun - where we're from, long black barrels pointed at us is not a good sign...".

Thanks folks - the gathering of the cranes in the Nebraska sandhills is for sure on my list! Not sure when I'll get there. There's little pesky matter of working...but! It will happen! I would love to hear of other worthy bird locations that are near me (Albuquerque, NM). Portal, AZ is one and if people know of others, I'd love to hear from you.

These photos are some from a couple days at the BdA over the Thanksgiving weekend. The light was beautiful in the mornings! I am a self avowed "craniac" and took some 3,500 pictures on this trip. I have them narrowed down to just a bit north of 100 on my web site. If you can't get enough crane, feel free to check it out... https://ralphlind.smugmug.com/Nature/Thanksgiving-at-BdA-17/i-dNCZVT9

This is a good year for the BdA. The numbers are up from last year. If you are planning to visit, feel free to contact me back channel and I'll be glad to share what I've learned about getting to the birds over the years...

Love the bluebirds!!