Sandhills cranes: We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch...

dieseldave Loc: Davenport,IA

We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch in the morning when they fly, but when and where can you see them do their dances? Anyone with experience , feel free to share. I have the short lens that came with the 5300' and A Sigma 125-300mm and a Sigma 500mm zoom.

ggttc Loc: TN

We shoot sandills all winter long at the Hiwasee refuge in
TN
If you only want to carry one lens take the 500 sigma...as far as tips...set your auto focus to AF-C and watch your ISO...F8 about 640 to 1000 SS. For large groups pull back your lens to 150.

Check these out

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-356398-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-365974-1.html

Have a good trip

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

dieseldave wrote:

We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch in the morning when they fly, but when and where can you see them do their dances? Anyone with experience , feel free to share. I have the short lens that came with the 5300' and A Sigma 125-300mm and a Sigma 500mm zoom.

Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

Graveman Loc: Indiana

Unless your going for other reasons have you tried Jasper-Pulaski FWA, north of Rensselaer? Great place, large viewing area.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

dieseldave wrote:

We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch in the morning when they fly, but when and where can you see them do their dances? Anyone with experience , feel free to share. I have the short lens that came with the 5300' and A Sigma 125-300mm and a Sigma 500mm zoom.

Sandhill Cranes have family groups normally 3 to 4 birds. You will need the 500mm. Best time is in the morning when they get ready for take off to feed. Look for what is know as pre-flight intention. One of the birds in the family group will begin leaning forward. This signals the group he is hungry. Focus on that family they will soon take off together. This is much better than reacting when you see a bird take off.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

dieseldave wrote:

We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch in the morning when they fly, but when and where can you see them do their dances? Anyone with experience , feel free to share. I have the short lens that came with the 5300' and A Sigma 125-300mm and a Sigma 500mm zoom.

Sandhill Cranes are among my favorite birds.

http://www.pbase.com/joer/image/159617044

Dalek Loc: Detroit, Miami, Goffstown

I have only shot a few what I call good ones of Sandhills. One day I pull into a gas station in south Florida, open my truck door, and there three feet from me is a beautiful sandhill. I shot some pictures with my phone.
What luck

Ted d Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

dieseldave wrote:

We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch in the morning when they fly, but when and where can you see them do their dances? Anyone with experience , feel free to share. I have the short lens that came with the 5300' and A Sigma 125-300mm and a Sigma 500mm zoom.

I just shoot the Sandhills here in Arizona. About 6K to &k fly in every day. to feed. My mistake was that I did not take my 500mm lens.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Ted d wrote:

I just shoot the Sandhills here in Arizona. About 6K to &k fly in every day. to feed. My mistake was that I did not take my 500mm lens.

Is that the White Marsh State Wildlife Refuge? We have friends in Green Valley who took us there while visiting them. Neat location with nice viewing/photo area.

Ted d Loc: Green Valley, AZ.

Billbobboy42 wrote:

Is that the White Marsh State Wildlife Refuge? We have friends in Green Valley who took us there while visiting them. Neat location with nice viewing/photo area.

Yes it is:We left Green Valley, drove to Tucson then AZ Land and Trust loaded us on a bus first stop Sandhill Farm then by SUV's we went to Whitewater Draw to have lunch. Then for an amazing site as 6 to 7 thousand crans flew in.

the f/stops here Loc: New Mexico

dieseldave wrote:

We are finally going to Kearney, NE to see the crane migration. Of course, I am taking my Nikon, and would like some tips about getting good shots. We plan to watch in the morning when they fly, but when and where can you see them do their dances? Anyone with experience , feel free to share. I have the short lens that came with the 5300' and A Sigma 125-300mm and a Sigma 500mm zoom.

dieseldave, You'll have fun as long as the weather treats you well. I normally use manual exposure mode and pick my shutter speed at say 1/1600 or ? depending on what I want. Then I pick my f/stop ... 8 or 9 is normal but again it can vary depending on what effect I want or what I'm after. I set my ISO to auto and play with exposure compensation a little if necessary. Then I sit back and enjoy ... as I'm sure you will. Best, J. Goffe

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