He really did look like a crusty kinda fellow - crusty but cute! Thanks to the Stillman Nature Center for caring for these injured birds. Do a search and find out if there are any rehabilitation centers around your area - They're worthy of your support.
Stay in Focus,
Mark
Bosque del Apache is still the supreme fall location to find Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese but Jasper Pulaski (JP) is a close second for cranes. Located in northwestern Indiana, just south of Valparaiso, JP is a prime migration point with end of November crane counts in excess of 28,000. The preserve does a great job of providing access to viewers and photographers with a raised viewing platform position right in front of the morning and evening gathering spots.
You are limited to viewing locations (primarily shooting due west) so the time of day dictates your shots. Evening shots are either difficult low light shots or some fantastic silhouettes as seen above. (click the images to see a high rez versions). Learn to take what nature gives you and you'll come away with some great sunlit backdrops as the cranes arrive from feeding in the near by fields.
Get there at sunrise as the Sandhills arrive from their night time spots in the adjacent marsh and you'll be treated to wave after wave of arriving cranes, just as the light gets really sweet. Arrivals and departures will continue until around 10:00AM. Just as the best light starts to slip away, you'll get to witness a huge series of blast-offs as the cranes head out to the corn fields for daily feeding.
Weekends get a little crowded with fellow bird watchers and photographers - but weekdays are perfect for a relaxed adventure. The main parking lot is about an 1/8 of a mile walk from the observation deck and a dedicated handicapped parking lot is available right next to the observation deck. The deck is equipped with both stairs and an access ramp.
Crane populations have peaked but there will still be plenty of action through December.
Stay in focus,
Mark
Guided Missle . . . Locked on Final Approach!
Blackbirds will not hesitate to take on anything that penetrates their "airspace", even hawks and eagles. I missed the next shot (what a shame) where the hawk got nailed about 2/3rds of the way up his tail - costing him a few feathers. He didn't even see this one coming.
When you see a "blackbird escort" appear, keep your eyes open, something interesting is about to happen!
Stay in focus,
Mark
Dude! Get Your Foot Out of My Mouth!!
The sun came out and temperatures crept back into the 50's last weekend - a perfect time for the turtles to warm up a bit in the sun. Too bad there just weren't enough logs to go around!
Stay in focus,
Mark
Don't ever forget that nature can be as close as your own backyard, you need to take the time to notice.
This little chipmunk got very comfortable with us over the summer, running right up to us as long as we didn't' make any sudden moves. Bringing his family along with him, he got very used to the nuts we'd bring.
Look a little closer, and find some of the wild in your own backyard or neighborhood.
Stay in focus,
Mark
Keep that shutter shooting, you never know what you'll end up with!
The luck of timing, along with a little creative cropping provided an entertaining shot that would have otherwise hit the trash can.
This photo was from a "ride along" earlier this year with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team. You won't find a more professional and impressive bunch of guys. You can check them out here - or at your local air shows.
Stay in focus,
Mark
