Darcy Johnson
About the Image(s)
Approximately 27,000 Greater Sandhill Cranes make a stop at the Fruitgrower's Reservoir aka Hart's Basin between mid-March and late April each year. The reservoir is just east of Eckert, Colorado and is part of the Monte Vista Wildlife Refuge. The cranes stop to rest and feed in the marshes and grasslands before continuing on their journey to nesting grounds in the northern Rocky Mountains.
This was one of the first outings where I wished I had a 600 mm lens to get the close up shots that most wildlife shots demand. Sandhill cranes typically land in the evenings and take off between 9 to 10 a.m. in the morning. This shot was taken in the hour before the cranes began their migration. ISO 250, 300 mm, f5.6, 1/2000
This round’s discussion is now closed!
10 comments posted
.   Posted: 09/09/2019 16:17:48
I also suggest to clone out the crane at the bottom right corner that is going out of the frame and the two at the left bottom.
I am posting two versions, one cropped as per Larry's suggestion and another with only crop at the bottom since in my very personnel opinion the blue sky at the top somehow (in my view) provides a balance with the water at the bottom. I like both the versions.
Appreciate Darcy and other members comments on this.
  Posted: 09/11/2019 09:05:29