Jun 4, 2018 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 7 Image Story Posts, Daily Image 2018, Michigan, Nikon 1 V3, Sandhill Crane, Spring 2018 Hodgepodge
Spring 2018 Hodgepodge | Sandhill Crane on Pleasant Lake Sandhill Crane’s must not be as scared of people in a kayak. While kayaking on Pleasant Lake, I let the kayak float slowly close to the lake’s edge, but did not see the Sandhill until within 10 yards and moving closer. The Sandhill did not move much. Finally, I realized that I was too close and stopped the kayak by using the paddles. Even with the movement of the paddles, the Sandhill still did not move much. After a few minutes, it slowly walked out of the water, onto the bank, and into the woods.
Jun 3, 2018 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, 7 Image Stories, AF-S 50mm f1.4G, Canada Geese, Cockpit View, IMHO, Lilac, Michigan, Nikon 1 V3, Red-tailed Hawk, Sandhill Crane, Spring 2018 Hodgepodge, Sunset
Spring 2018 Hodgepodge | a 7 Image Story It’s time to share a few images from this spring. They are in no particular order; just random images I find interesting from this spring.
The aerial image captures the scene out the windshield flying north along the western coast of Michigan. Great weather, light winds, and mild waves make Lake Michigan look serene.
Sandhill Crane’s must not be as scared of people in a kayak. While kayaking on Pleasant Lake, I let the kayak float slowly close to the lake’s edge, but did not see the Sandhill until within 10 yards and moving closer. The Sandhill did not move much. Finally, I realized that I was too close and stopped the kayak by using the paddles. Even with the movement of the paddles, the Sandhill still did not move much. After a few minutes, it slowly walked out of the water, onto the bank, and into the woods.
Lilacs are in season in spring. Just snipping a few from the bush gives the house the smell of spring.
A lucky Red-tailed Hawk image was captured through the window shield when I stopped to see why the hawk was sitting along the side of the road. Most of the time, it’s hard to see that red tail.
Hey, what can I say. It’s a door on a lake. Doesn’t every lakes have one? Well, maybe not. What does it mean? Whatever you want it to mean. Perhaps, it’s a bit funny or a bit sad; perhaps, reflective. It’s only bounded by your own mind.
What’s more spring than a Canada Goose and her goslings. Again, the kayak really helps capture this family in their native habitat. The telephoto keeps me far enough way not to disturb the family.
At the end of a nice day trip, the sun sets just as leaving the airport. Nothing like coming back to your home field for the night!
Each image will be posted individually this week with a bit more narrative under category Spring 2018 Hodgepodge.
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Apr 6, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Daily Image 2018, Nikon 1 V3, Sandhill Crane, Spring Walkabout
Spring Walkabout | Sandhill Crane Occasionally on my spring walkabouts, I’ll see a Sandhill Crane. Every year a nesting pair comes back to a small lake along my walkabout path. They mostly stay in a secluded part of the lake. Nice to see them make their home nearby! To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Spring Walkabout | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 9, 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 D3x, Sandhill Crane, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | Evening Flight Each evening the Sandhills come back to the Platte River to roost for the night. They tend to come back in small groups so the experience tends to be less dramatic than the morning. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 8, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Daily Image 2018, Nikon 1 V3, Sandhill Crane, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | Shadow Portrait Getting a nice portrait of a Sandhill has proven to be a challenge. Even with a long telephoto, it’s difficult to get close enough without scaring the bird. To see the entire story with all seven images, go to Sandhills on the Platte | a 7 Image Story.
Mar 7, 2018 | 7 Image Story Posts, AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Daily Image 2018, Nikon 1 V3, Sandhill Crane, Sandhills on the Platte
Sandhills on the Platte | Beautiful Crane Seldom do I get close enough to capture an image with so much detail. This image is one of the closest and clearest Sandhill Crane I have ever captured. 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 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.
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