I recently visited Nebraska to photograph the migration of the sandhill cranes. This is one of the largest migrations on the planet and is a real spectacle of nature. While I was there, approximately 450,000 cranes were in the area. Here are a dozen photographs that I captured during my time along the Platte River:
1- I witnessed this spectacular sunset during my first night on the river.
2- The sandhill cranes can often be observed "dancing".
3- In the morning the cranes leave the river and fly to the cornfields to feed.
4- Cranes in the cornfield
5- I very much enjoyed viewing the flying formations
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7- I was fortunate to be there with some interesting cloud formations and colors to serve as an interesting background.
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12- This was one of the more spectacular sunsets I've ever witnessed. The colorful light wrapped itself around the various sandbars in the Platte River. In the interest is full disclosure, I captured a photograph of the cranes and the landscape separately--this is a composite picture.
I know the EXIF information isn't appearing the way it should. I used the same camera (Nikon Z9) and lens (Nikon 400 2.8 TC) for all of these pictures.
really amazing set of pictures of a beautiful bird. there are sandhills that come through northwest indiana and some stay all winter, but no where close to the numbers that you saw. the sunrise/sunset pics were fantastic. thanks for sharing.
volhoosier wrote:
really amazing set of pictures of a beautiful bird. there are sandhills that come through northwest indiana and some stay all winter, but no where close to the numbers that you saw. the sunrise/sunset pics were fantastic. thanks for sharing.
Thank you…I live in northeast Illinois—so close enough to maybe see some sandhill cranes next year.
Having been there for the migration myself, 9 captures the beauty and chaos of the place for me. Not quite the chaos of 10, but the sky makes it shine.
chuck4242 wrote:
Having been there for the migration myself, 9 captures the beauty and chaos of the place for me. Not quite the chaos of 10, but the sky makes it shine.
Thanks Chuck...the sky was incredible on my last night (and last 30 minutes or so) of my trip. I captured many images of the cranes against the sky. I wish #10 had the same sky as #9.
gnagel wrote:
Thanks Chuck...the sky was incredible on my last night (and last 30 minutes or so) of my trip. I captured many images of the cranes against the sky. I wish #10 had the same sky as #9.
