Field of Wildflowers and a Sandhill Crane – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I always think of Sandhill Cranes whenever my thoughts drift to the Centennial Valley of Montana where I always hear their calls, see them in the fields or in flight over the marshes. Yesterday I photographed a female and a male in a field of wildflowers on the way to the Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and it tickled me pink that this image also showed a “red rock”. The image above shows the male (males are larger) looking directly towards me.
I wish that everyone could see and hear Sandhill Cranes in person at least once in their lives because it is an experience that is not soon forgotten. They touch a place deep inside of me every time I see or hear them.
And an infuriating update on yesterdays post about the demise of the Magical Sapsucker Tree…
The tree was definitely chopped down, there are visible hatchet marks on the backside of it. I am %$&^#! pissed that some idiot cut down a tree that had not just one active nesting cavity but THREE. I will be contacting the staff of the Targhee National Forest on my return home with pictures.
Life is still good. Hopefully the birds found other cavities to nest in this season.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos. Click here to see more of my Sandhill Crane photos plus facts and information about this species.
HIss and spit (and other expletives) at the stupid, wasteful, ignorant destruction of the tree and other species home.
Love the wildflowers and the crane.
PLEASE don’t give up your flower photos! You’re the BEST at these images (especially when a bee is included)…
I was afraid the tree’s demise would turn out to be human stupidity! If you can be fined for possessing a single feather, you should have the book thrown at you for this kind of destruction! Some morons either let junior play with a hatchet or some cheap creep didn’t want to pay for firewood. I hope the bastards are caught and fined…not that it will undo anything.
Just beautiful!
I remember the first time I saw a sandhill crane. I was in Florida for about eight months. They were hanging out by a sump pond at a shopping mall.
Fortunately I made some great photos and got to watch them several times.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.
The Sandhill Cranes are a great bird!
Sandhill Crane in a field of wildflowers is excellent, I sit still and watch its cousin the Common Crane, Mia, wonderful image.