A pair of Sandhill Cranes are nesting at Lake Margaret here at our RV resort. The gestation period is 55 to 60 days, so I doubt if they will hatch before we leave at the end of the week, but they are wonderful to look at — and photograph from afar.
More photos, and some information, in the expanded post.
Sandhill Cranes mate for life…
…and both the male and female share in parenting.
The sexes look alike, and I have no idea which is the male and which is the female.
I found a blind to stand in while I took my photos. They were taken with my Nikon 70–300mm VR (vibration reduction) lens. Rather than drag a tripod into the blind, I hand-held the camera. Without a VR lens, the photos would not have been as clear.
My camera is a Nikon D90 DSLR. The ISO was set to 200, and I shot aperture priority at f/8 and f/10.
In case you were wondering, still no sign of blooms from the every growing Century Plant. Wishing everyone a Happy Easter and a Good Passover.
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How 'bout wishing those cranes good luck when those rabbits come to snatch those precious eggs away for their Easter Baskets. You've caught the full regalia of two remarkable cranes. Great technology in the hands of a fine student and terrific artist can produce remarkable pictures. dr
ReplyDeleteSandhill cranes are wonderful. I hope that they have many babies in the future. I have seen them in Florida on golf courses and in shopping centers. They actually migrate all over the world even to colder climates. Nice pictures. Happy Easter and safe driving.
ReplyDeleteI love the pictures of the Sandhills. I hope that their babies do well. See you when you get back.
ReplyDeleteSandhill eggs - is my favorite. Says a lot without showing the whole bird.... thoughtful composition. Remarkable that those eggs are left right out in the open ... no protection from the sharp eyes of a buzzard, osprey, or an eagle.
ReplyDeleteHave a good time coming back to the HEAT ... today will be 85 degrees. dr
Our woodpecker with the orange wig and black and white stripes came back for me to see ... once! dr
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