A short post today. In the last four days I’ve published three blog posts that averaged over 17 photos apiece. That’s gotta stop, so today’s edition of Feathered Photography includes just one image.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But it’s a photo that’s special to me because of the memory and mood it brings back.
Three days ago I found this mated pair of Sandhill Cranes at Bear River MBR very soon after sunrise. Their loud rattling calls were booming across the marsh as birds of several other species (avocets, stilts, meadowlarks, wrens and two species of blackbirds) were calling too. I had the place to myself, the light was to die for, the air was still and directly in front of me a flock of about 20 American White Pelicans were in flight with the snow-covered Promontory Mountains directly behind them. The sights and sounds and even the smells were delicious – a delight for the senses.
Experiences like that are a big part of why I photograph birds. Yes, it means sacrifices, like getting up at a ridiculously early hour, leaving my house at dark o’clock and driving for 90 minutes so I can arrive at the refuge at dawn.
But for me it’s worth it, even if I don’t get great photos. I’m pretty sure most of my birder and bird photographer friends understand perfectly.
Ron
Ron, your photos are always beautiful! And, so are the descriptions, reflections, and feelings that accompany your photos.
Very much appreciated, Sheila.
Neither a photographer nor birder, myself, and my being up and moving at the butt-crack of dawn is limited these days, yet I can definitely appreciate the sheer delight of an early morning out in nature. I’m grateful for these vicarious moments.
(And you hit the nail on the head in your response to Kaye! My last year, I was spending a lot more time and energy on the bs parts than I was on actually doing science with the kids.)
Thanks, Marty. I can’t imagine being a teacher these days. I used to recommend teaching as a highly fulfilling profession but not anymore.
I haven’t gone so far as trying to talk people out of being a teacher — yet — but I certainly don’t sugar-coat anything when describing what it’s like.
and I, for one, deeply appreciate that you get up at o’dark thirty to go to the refuge to take these gorgeous photographs that you share with us!
thank you profusely 😀
Good. Thank you, Karina.
Ron, your description of the birds is music to my heart. That’s why you keep going early morning even if it’s dark… It’s beautiful to read how much in tune you are with nature. Love it!
“That’s why you keep going early morning even if it’s dark”
Beatrice, it’s virtually always dark when I leave home on one of my birding trips. If I don’t leave that early I miss the best light, and often the ‘best’ birds. Nature in the early morning can’t be beat.
It is dark here, and will be for some hours yet. I totally understand the magic of dawn and birds, scents, sounds add to it.
Thank you for sharing those special moments.
I knew you’d understand, EC.
Ron,
“But for me it’s worth it, even if I don’t get great photos.”
All I can say is, “Amen, Brother!”
Stephen
Steven, it’s nice to get great photos too… 🙂
Yep!
I know you get it, April.
Magical, birds and description!
Thank you, Carolyn.
I understand it perfectly Ron. Many a morning I have spent leaving home alone in the predawn to arrive at a place to witness the natural world come alive with the morning light.
This photo brings back an old memory for me. There is this very special place about two hours north of Los Angeles called the Carrizo Plain. Many years ago during migration I was out there and saw what I easily estimated to be over 5000 Sandhill Cranes. Most were feeding in the vast plowed fields. It was an awesome sight when a mass of them took to the sky. I will never forget it. This display does not happen any more. When the Carrizo Plain became a National Monument all the cattle ranching and the plowed fields for the hay and grain crops that were farmed there went away. And so did the Sandhill Cranes. This was a case of where the reclamation and preservation of the natural state eliminated the very environment that made it a migratory stopover for these birds.
Michael, interesting that you would mention the Carrizo Plain, especially today. I’d never heard of it until yesterday when a Facebook friend posted many aerial photos of the plain showing the profusion of wildflowers growing there now. And I was wondering why I wasn’t seeing any roads. Or small towns. Or farms. Or other signs of the hand of man. Now I know.
About 3-1/2 to 4 hours from me, but looks intriguing, especially with the big wildflower bloom. Thanks for the info!
Well, after all these years I finally figured out why your pictures are better than mine! I don’t get up until 0 dark 30!
Great picture.
That must be it, Ken. 🙂 Thanks.
And here I thought it was all just an excuse for a donut.
Due to your dedication we all share in the memories. Thank you.
Ha, I don’t need an excuse for a donut, not if it’s chocolate.
Well, maybe I do since I never eat them unless I’m out in the field photographing birds. Thanks, Lyle.
Beautiful in every way, including your experience. More than any other bird I have experience with, sandhill cranes seem so primeval to me.
Thank you, Patrick. Primeval indeed, especially their calls I think.
You see and experience the most beautiful and remarkable things. Thank you, for sharing. You must have been a wonderful teacher, you still are.
Take Care,
Kaye
Thanks very much, Kaye.
I still miss “teaching”, which I defined as my time in the classroom. I especially miss interacting with the kids. But it’s what I called the “peripheral bullshit” that drove me to retire after 33 years. These days it’s even worse. I don’t know how teachers today put up with it. I most certainly couldn’t.
What a wonderful collection of sensory memory–you express it beautifully.
In my years living in New Mexico, I just lived for that broadcast on high in the sky that “the cranes are returning” ……the Rio Grande flyway is filled with that
singular cry of thousands as they make their way toward or away from the Bosque del Apache– I LOVE their calls……..
Thank you, Kris. I’ve never heard as many cranes calling at the same time as you have. Someday I hope…
You need to go to Nebraska for the migration. There are enough cranes scattered everywhere you can find a secluded place. It was and probably will be one of the most remarkable experience of my life .
Some day, April. Some day…
Beautiful! I love Sanhill Cranes. Early morning with nature is hard to beat……. 🙂
One of the things I hated about Daylight Savings Time when working as I’d miss that “time” stuck in the office.
Judy, early morning has always been my favorite time of day so that dominating preference fits in perfectly with bird photography. In that way I’m lucky.
Glad that you do it so we can enjoy your pictures and comments. Wish I had your drive and passion!
“Wish I had your drive and passion”
Thanks, Barry. That “drive and passion” can sometimes seem like an albatross around my neck but usually I’m glad I have it. Nearly always in fact.
Appreciating and sharing your view of the natural world… what could be better?
“what could be better?”
Not much, Brett. Maybe nothing.
Cranes have mating calls and alarm calls, and when I visited the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin back in 2016, I took a video of two cranes doing a mating call and mating dance, very special!! Here’s my link to my post on my blogsite about that wonderful experience . . . https://lalaironwheels.blogspot.com/2016/09/wisconsins-cows-cornfields-and-cranes.html
Lucky you, Terri. I was hoping this crane pair would dance for me. Didn’t happen.
Delightful way to start the day, Ron. The American Avocet in breeding plumage, and the bubblegum pink legs of the Black-necked Stilt add a subtle richness to the canvas. Hard to beat a morning at the marsh!
“Hard to beat a morning at the marsh!”
I couldn’t agree more, Diane – perhaps even impossible to beat.