Hi,

Wanted to see if anyone wants to meet next week on 11/10 or 11/11 and shoot Sandhills at the Northern Indiana Jasper-Pulaski NWR? Counts are currently over 10,000 daily so the time is right. Weather is supposed to be pretty good with the sunrise temp around 40 degrees. I've been there over the last 4 years and it's quite a spectacle for birders. I will make a decision on Sunday as to which day looks the best to visit. If you live close enough to make the drive you won't be dissapointed. It would be fun to meet with some other FM'ers.

Link to Jasper-Pulaski - http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3109.htm


Few from last year -

Your first image is really something to see. The black BG forces your eye, just like is supposed to do.
Tom

Wow, great pics Mark especially the first one, real compelling!
Thanks for the invite, would love to come but its a bit far
Looking forward to seeing your pics though. It would be good to see one with thousands of SC in it if thats possible!
Martin

The light on the first one...wow! The light on the rest is great too. I love how you got SO close on #2. The panning on #3 was done well, and #4 is composed very well. (the rest were composed well too, but #4 is exceptional)

Great shots Mark, I am looking forward to the bunch you get this year. Good luck.

Rob

Me a a friend are planning on being there the 27th & 28th.

Awesome shots!

Those are sure some very pleasing images Mark, varied and wonderful. That first one is stunning, #3 panning shot is great
Have a good outing, may the sun gods shine upon you

Karl

You nailed that first one! Absolutely excellent.

I would love to make the trip from Chicago, but don't currently have an ideal lens. I could try to shoot with my 100mm, unless someone wanted to spot me a 100-400 for the day.

Justin

P.S. Mark - I was just looking your Chicago images on the Canon board, really nice work! These cranes are great, too.

MHJS wrote:
Me a a friend are planning on being there the 27th & 28th.

Awesome shots!


Too funny John. Michele and I will be there also that weekend. We won't bother you while we are there.

Bruce

Great to see you back Mark! Great shots. I would love to meet up with you but, you would have to give me a little more notice.

Ted

Beautiful light in 1 and 4, Mark, each one with a different feel. Hope you will have a great outing.
Socrate

tom cardin wrote:
Your first image is really something to see. The black BG forces your eye, just like is supposed to do.
Tom

Thanks Tom,

It was so cool to see that group of Sandhills rise up into the morning's first light. I hope this year we have another perfect sunrise like last year.


Martin Good wrote:
Wow, great pics Mark especially the first one, real compelling!
Thanks for the invite, would love to come but its a bit far
Looking forward to seeing your pics though. It would be good to see one with thousands of SC in it if thats possible!
Martin

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the nice comments. I guess it would be a long trip for you - I will take your advice and try to get some wide shots of large groups.


Dpic_arctic wrote:
The light on the first one...wow! The light on the rest is great too. I love how you got SO close on #2. The panning on #3 was done well, and #4 is composed very well. (the rest were composed well too, but #4 is exceptional)

Thank you - It is a fantastic experience with thousands of these birds surrounding you. There are so many flying by that you have time to get creative and try different things. Hope some other FM'ers can make it out this year.


Rob Tillyer wrote:
Great shots Mark, I am looking forward to the bunch you get this year. Good luck.

Rob

Hi Rob - Haven't been around the N&W forum much this year, but this Sandhill trip always gets me excited. Thanks for the well-wishes.


MHJS wrote:
Me a a friend are planning on being there the 27th & 28th.

Awesome shots!

Hi - Wow, I wish we could coordinate the visit somehow. If the weather looks good on the 27th or 28th I might go back again. It's only about 1.75hr trip for me. Will this be your first time there?


Karl Witt wrote:
Those are sure some very pleasing images Mark, varied and wonderful. That first one is stunning, #3 panning shot is great
Have a good outing, may the sun gods shine upon you

Karl

Thank you Karl - It's a real treat to have these guys stop by and see us here in Indiana. It is an amazing spectacle of nature. The sounds, sights, and graceful flights can only be fully appreciated in-person. Can't wait.


Sibilant wrote:
You nailed that first one! Absolutely excellent.

Thank you, that is one of my favorite bird shots of all time.


jkhalifa wrote:
I would love to make the trip from Chicago, but don't currently have an ideal lens. I could try to shoot with my 100mm, unless someone wanted to spot me a 100-400 for the day.

Justin

P.S. Mark - I was just looking your Chicago images on the Canon board, really nice work! These cranes are great, too.

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the kind words. Hey, don't worry about a lens. I will let you borrow a 400mm if you want to come down and shoot. Just let me know. I'm serious. It would be a blast.

Thanks for the compliment on the Chicago shots - Man! we had a great time there! You guys live in an awesome town - We stayed at the Wit Downtown - Awesome!


Cincy Bruce wrote:
MHJS wrote:
Me a a friend are planning on being there the 27th & 28th.

Awesome shots!


Too funny John. Michele and I will be there also that weekend. We won't bother you while we are there.

Bruce

Hey Bruce, wish you could make it up next week.


Ted ellis wrote:
Great to see you back Mark! Great shots. I would love to meet up with you but, you would have to give me a little more notice.

Ted

Hey Ted - Glad you're still hangin here too. If you want to come, maybe later in the month will work too. Let me know.


Shasoc wrote:
Beautiful light in 1 and 4, Mark, each one with a different feel. Hope you will have a great outing.
Socrate

Hi Socarte,

Thanks for your compliments, Wow - almost 16,000 posts for you. You've been a busy many, and a great contributor to this site. I hope all is well in sunny Florida.

mark fadely wrote:

jkhalifa wrote:
I would love to make the trip from Chicago, but don't currently have an ideal lens. I could try to shoot with my 100mm, unless someone wanted to spot me a 100-400 for the day.

Justin

P.S. Mark - I was just looking your Chicago images on the Canon board, really nice work! These cranes are great, too.

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the kind words. Hey, don't worry about a lens. I will let you borrow a 400mm if you want to come down and shoot. Just let me know. I'm serious. It would be a blast.

Thanks for the compliment on the Chicago shots - Man! we had a great time there! You guys live in an awesome town - We stayed at the Wit Downtown - Awesome!



Hi Mark,

It certainly is a great town - I love it here. You captured it very well in your shots.

That's a very generous offer on the lens! I will definitely let you know if I can make it down there. Maybe send me a PM or post here about which day you decide to go with, and I'll let you know if I can make it. I probably can't do the 10th as I just found out today about a business trip on the 9th, but I may be able to get off work on the 11th. If the 10th works better for you, don't postpone for me, though!

Justin

Beautiful set. The first is awesome

Dick.

Wonderful images Mark. I wish I could afford the time off to go.

Morris

jkhalifa wrote:
mark fadely wrote:

jkhalifa wrote:
I would love to make the trip from Chicago, but don't currently have an ideal lens. I could try to shoot with my 100mm, unless someone wanted to spot me a 100-400 for the day.

Justin

P.S. Mark - I was just looking your Chicago images on the Canon board, really nice work! These cranes are great, too.

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the kind words. Hey, don't worry about a lens. I will let you borrow a 400mm if you want to come down and shoot. Just let me know. I'm serious. It would be a blast.

Thanks for the compliment on the Chicago shots - Man! we had a great time there! You guys live in an awesome town - We stayed at the Wit Downtown - Awesome!



Hi Mark,

It certainly is a great town - I love it here. You captured it very well in your shots.

That's a very generous offer on the lens! I will definitely let you know if I can make it down there. Maybe send me a PM or post here about which day you decide to go with, and I'll let you know if I can make it. I probably can't do the 10th as I just found out today about a business trip on the 9th, but I may be able to get off work on the 11th. If the 10th works better for you, don't postpone for me, though!

Justin


Hey Justin,

Looks like Wednesday 11/11/09 is the day - should be a nice sunny morn. The lens offer is good if you can make it.

Dick on Aruba wrote:
Beautiful set. The first is awesome

Dick.

Hi Dick,

Thanks for the nice comment. Can't wait to see what this year will bring.

morris wrote:
Wonderful images Mark. I wish I could afford the time off to go.

Morris

Thanks Morris - I wish you could make it as well. It's rare for me to meet other FM shooters around this area. The Sandhills seem to bring a few of us out though. I hope to get another reply or two from someone who can make it. Weather is looking warmer too.

Hi Mark, I was just wondering if you were going to make the trip this year. As of today, next Wednesday is a go, barring any unforeseen obstacles rearing their ugly head. I'll let you know for sure on Tuesday, maybe the third year in a row will be the one. Talk to you soon.

Doug

All four of these are really nice Mark.
#1 is outstanding... love the dark BG as a canvas for the SHC's, and their wing positions work very well together in this image for me.
Great series, very well done... Hope this years trip works out well for you.

Kirk

Doug Bentlage wrote:
Hi Mark, I was just wondering if you were going to make the trip this year. As of today, next Wednesday is a go, barring any unforeseen obstacles rearing their ugly head. I'll let you know for sure on Tuesday, maybe the third year in a row will be the one. Talk to you soon.

Doug

Fantastic Doug!

I hope you can make it, and I hope we have a nice morning as predicted. Justin from here on FM is confirmed to meet us as well. It's gonna be nice - not too cold, and hopefully nice and sunny at first light. Thanks for checking in.