Steve Cole
April 2026 - FlyByeHigh
About the Image(s)
Again went back into my bird note card collection archives to share one of my favorites. Spring weather per the calendar has arrived and I will be off in a few days to Crex Meadows, Grantsburg, WI, seeking the Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, Geese, and ducks returning to nest. Which is where I captured this crane in flight a few years ago and hoping to get a few newly hatched “colt” photos a bit later this spring/summer. The Annual Sandhill Crane count is April 18th, 5-8am, and yes, I will be out there with coffee, a donut, and camera gear. Nikon D7200, 300mmf4 at f4.5, 1/2000, ISO 400. Processed in Lightroom Classic using the basic sliders.
5 comments posted
You captured this bird at exactly the right moment -- wings fully extended, no overly dark areas, detail nice and sharp. My only negative would be to say that it could probably use some more contrast. Posted: 04/06/2026 14:22:25
Thanks for your comments & time :) Posted: 04/07/2026 13:50:35
Hi Steve,
Great image of this crane in flight. The soft and delicate tonalities contrast beautifully with the red in the eye area. There is nice detail and sharpness in the feathers.
The crane creates a diagonal across the frame, which contributes to the dynamic feeling of the flight. Posted: 04/14/2026 20:47:40
Great image of this crane in flight. The soft and delicate tonalities contrast beautifully with the red in the eye area. There is nice detail and sharpness in the feathers.
The crane creates a diagonal across the frame, which contributes to the dynamic feeling of the flight. Posted: 04/14/2026 20:47:40
Beautiful pose and diagonal line captured. The softness makes this a very pretty image and I can see why it makes a good note card. For me this is too tight in the frame on the top and bottom. It probably works quite well on the card, but for other uses I'd give it more breathing room. Posted: 04/16/2026 17:06:02
FlyByeHigh is a lovely image Steve am sure sells well. How many different cards to you have?
I like very much the triangle shape the bird has in flight, with neck high. I wouldn't have thought it a particularly aerodynamic! Good luck in taking more images. Posted: 04/19/2026 08:49:12
I like very much the triangle shape the bird has in flight, with neck high. I wouldn't have thought it a particularly aerodynamic! Good luck in taking more images. Posted: 04/19/2026 08:49:12