Dec 18, 2019 | AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Daily Image 2019, Landscapes, Nikon D3x, Platte River
Landscapes | Platte River Sunset The Platte River beckons in March. In the distance, the last Sandhill Cranes are landing to roost for the night as the last good light rests in the west. This image was captured near one of the bridges crossing the river just after sunset. For the whole story with all images, see Landscapes | a 7 Image Story.
Dec 15, 2019 | 7 Image Stories, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S DX 12-24mm f4G IF ED, Badlands, Grand Tetons, Landscapes, Nature, Nikon D200, Nikon D300, Nikon D3x, Platte River, Yellowstone
Landscapes | a 7 Image Story Trying to pick just 7 images from my landscape image database proved to take longer than intended. These images are certainly representative of the types of landscapes that tend to get in front of my camera. Many folks like to capture landscape images close to home. My favorite landscape images tend to be far away with vistas very different from the Midwest. The American West tends to get more attention than the east. See more landscapes in my Landscape Portfolio.
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Landscapes.
Click any image below for a slide show.
Mar 10, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, Daily Image 2018, Landscape, Nikon D3x, Platte River, Sandhills on the Platte, Sunset
Sandhills on the Platte | Platte River Sunset In the distance, the last Sandhills are landing to roost for the night as the last good light rests in the west. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 6, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S TC 2.0 E III Tele-converter, Daily Image 2018, Nikon D300, Platte River, Sandhill Crane, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | Morning Flight In the early morning, the Sandhills lift off the river to eat in nearby fields. They take flight in groups of hundreds; even thousands, even 10,000s, at one time. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 5, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S TC 2.0 E III Tele-converter, Daily Image 2018, Nikon D300, Platte River, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | Sunrise Flight At first light, the Sandhills begin to lift off the river to eat in nearby corn fields. A little sun, a little fog, and a few hundred thousand Sandhill Cranes make for a beautiful sunrise on the Platte River. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 4, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, Daily Image 2018, Nikon D3x, Platte River, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | Platte River Sunrise It’s just after o’dark thirty and just before sunrise. The Sandhills are still relatively quiet while roosting on the Platte River. Soon, they’ll be waking and taking flight. The birds are still hidden just beyond back water and weeds. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 4, 2018 | 7 Image Stories, AF 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D ED VR, AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, AF-S TC 2.0 E III Tele-converter, Events, Nature, Nikon 1 V3, Nikon D300, Nikon D3x, Places, Platte River, Sandhill Crane, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story Every year from mid February to the first week of April, most of the planet’s Sandhill Cranes converge along 75-mile stretch of the Platte River near Kearney, Nebraska. The gathering represents the closest thing to the Serengeti we have in the lower 48. It’s one of the world’s top three great wildlife migrations. More than 500,00 Sandhills stop on the Platte to rest and gain weight on their flight from southern USA and Mexico to Canada, Alaska, and Siberia, where the have their young.
If you have never been to this Great Sandhill Crane Migration, it’s worth the trip at least once in your life. Each day, it starts at o’dark thirty along the bends in the Platte River. At first light, the Sandhills begin to lift off the river to eat in nearby corn fields. They take flight in groups of hundreds; even thousands, even 10,000s, at one time. A little sun, a little fog, and a few hundred thousand Sandhill Cranes make for a beautiful sunrise on the Platte River. During the day, the cranes eat grain left over from last fall’s crop, mostly corn, in nearby fields. Then, in late afternoon and early evening, they come back to the river in great flocks to roost overnight on the river. The Platte River in this area is shallow and filled with sand bars. The cranes safely roost on the river since they can hear their predators, like coyotes, coming through the water. Being very smart birds, they actually post sentries to take turns staying awake during the night to warn the flock, if a predator comes their way.
Sandhill Cranes are among the world’s oldest species. They mate for life and return to the same place each year to have their young. They live in freshwater and eat a large variety of foods including plants, grains, mice, snakes, insects, or worms. Sandhills usually nest in wetlands. Females lay two eggs while both parents incubate. Males also defend the nest. Sandhills love to sing and dance; leap high in the air. The birds are naturally gray with their heads topped with a crimson crown. Sometimes, they preen themselves by adding a brown mud to their feathers. For more information on Sandhill Cranes and their great migration, see the Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary.
Click any image below for a slide show!
Mar 30, 2017 | AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, Daily Image 2017, Landscape, Nikon D3x, Platte River
Platte River Sunrise The sunrises are a bonus when you go to the Platte River to see the Sandhill Cranes. Of course, you must wake up well before o’dark thirty to enjoy them.