View allAll Photos Tagged BosquedelApacheNWR
Adult is grey overall, with dull red skin on the crown and lores; whitish chin and upper throat; blackish primaries. Cranes may stain their upper back feathers, lower neck and breast with ferrous solution contained in the mud while preening with muddy bills. In winter, they regularly feed in dry fields consuming corn (as above), insects, amphibians and rodents, returning to water at night.
Compare with Sarus Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Common Crane.
Nikon 200-400mm f/4G lens, x1.4, f/5.6, 1/3200s, ISO 400, NPF
Thanks to all of you who fave and/or comment on the photograph!
Sandhills at twilight. I spent a good deal of time trying different techniques for photographing the cranes and geese in an effort to produce images that would give a feeling of motion and color. Many of the images I post in this series will not be "classical wildlife" images. They are not meant to be! Please let me know what you think!!!
A bald eagle flies over, providing a close encounter. Bald eagles are very large birds. Their feet are the size of a human hand, or larger. Their talons can reach two inches in length. They frequently kill their prey by penetrating it with their talons. They can lift up to about 4 pounds, which is about 1/2 to 1/3 of a bird's body weight. Females are generally larger than males and have a wingspan up to about 90 inches. Do the math! That's over 7 feet!! I'm glad this bird didn't decide to fly any closer! #ILoveNature #ILoveWildife #BaldEagles #Nature in #America #USA #WildlifeConservation #WildlifePhotography in #Maryland #Canon #Bringit #DrDADBooks #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday
A bald eagle banks a turn over the Susquehanna River at Conowingo Dam, in Maryland. We banked on a good day of photographing fishing eagles today, however, there's more to the task than simply good light and the presence of birds. Currents need to bring the fish close enough to the shore for meaningful photos, but more importantly, prevailing winds should be at your back. Eagles, like many birds, tend to take off and land facing into the wind. If the wind is blowing in your face, the eagle will generally be facing away from you when it dives to catch a fish. You basically end up with, well,......."end up!" Fishing eagle tail shots just aren't that exciting. That being said, there were plenty of good flight shots to go around. That's something you can bank on! #ILoveNature #iLoveWildlife #WildlifePhotography in #Maryland #Nature in #America #USA #BaldEagles #DrDADBooks #Canon #Bringit #Photography #picoftheday #Photooftheday
Bosque Del Apache NWR
The other cranes were chasing it around trying to take the opossum away. Crows were flying overhead hoping to get it also. It was dropped but with all the cranes in the way I couldn't tell who got it.
On our last morning at the Bosque del Apache NWR, we again headed to the Flight Deck in hopes of a better flyout. The pre-dawn colors were delightful.
Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) male. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Socorro Co., New Mexico.
Believe it or not, this is a snow goose. See the opening on the side of the mouth? That's called a grin patch, and it is one major characteristic that separates snow geese from the other light geese called Ross' geese. Snow geese come in two color morphs, the typical white variety that most people are accustomed to, and a dark, or blue morph. The colors are genetically determined with the dark color being determined by a single dominant gene of variable penetrance. The white color morph is determined by a homozygous recessive pattern. If two white geese have offspring their chicks will all be white. The offspring become more interesting when dark morphs mate with dark or white morphs. The possible combinations depend upon whether or not the dark morphs are heterozygous (having a single copy of the dark gene) or homozygous (having two copies). It's a lesson in genetics that is most fascinating. It's also interesting to note that a snow goose will generally mate with a goose that resembles the coloring of their parents. Curious! #ILoveBird #ILoveNature #ILoveWildlife #SnowGeese #DarkMorph #BlueMorph #WildlifePhotography in #NewMexico #Nature in #America #USA #Canon #DrDADBooks #Bringit #Photography #Picoftheday #Photooftheday
A bird of prey, likely a hawk, watched the incoming cranes from high in a tree on the distant shore.
Sandhill Cranes at First Light. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Socorro Co., New Mexico.
Jumping for Joy! A sandhill crane jumps for joy at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico. The Bosque is one of the premiere sites for watching Sandhills during the fall and winter season.
Sandhill cranes fly-out in the morning over Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico. Each day the sun rises over the Rio Grande Valley and the birds follow their collective rituals. The warm glow of the sun thaws the chill of the previous day, promising renewal and a future yet to evolve. It seems a far and distant place from the bustle of a world so complex. There is simplicity that only those who take the time to observe can ever understand. It's not simply about chasing birds, it's about perspective. It's about finding one's place in the world.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in central New Mexico. Socorro County, New Mexico, USA.
Found here: 33.76310N 106.89495W.
VIEW LARGE -- Bosque Del Apache NWR is such a magical place! It should be included in every birder's and bird photographer's 'must do' list of places to visit and experience. I promise you would never regret it!!!
The abundance of birds and other wildlife is awe inspiring. It truly takes several days of driving the refuge roads and walking the trails and lake shores to just begin to capture a glimpse of the grandeur of this mesmerizing place!!!!
Landing gear down, flaps down. Taken in pretty strong backlight, as the light was coming from the rear-left side. The camera held the shadows very well this time, which doesn't always happen - perhaps because of the darker background.
Comments, criticisms, invites and faves are always welcomed and valued. Thanks for viewing.
My website: denniszaebst.photography.com
I imagine a time when the earth was unfettered by the hand of mankind. I imagine a time when the haunting echo of the sandhill crane filled the air in glorious cacophony. The sun is setting on ancient sands 2 million years ago. The line between human and non-human species is only now being etched in the sands of evolutionary time. For a moment, I stand with the glow of the setting sun before me, and sandhill cranes are performing the rituals that are their ancient rite. The bustle of human existence has not even crossed the horizon. The earth is simple, savage, an sublime. Every woman, man, and child should cross that threshold at least once. I prefer to cross it as often as possible. Step into the great outdoors and our National Parks and imagine....
All albums:
www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/sets
Viewers' favorites (top 10):
www.flickr.com/photos/ljcouple/sets/72157640904897455
My favorites: