Juvenile Sandhills

NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
edited August 28, 2008 in Wildlife
I've been trying for a couple of days to capture some images of juvenile sandhills close enough to adults to get a good comparison of coloration etc. Seems simple enough. In practice it was anything but...
Anyhow, I did end up with a couple. Here they are.

Nikon D300
Nikkor 200-400 f4 VR

Here's a juvenile and adult feeding together. The youngster was feeding on its own but every once in a while the adult would feed it a morsel. In the following image I just missed the exchange. The juvie is eating whatever mom just passed it.

1/1000s f/8.0 at 550.0mm iso400 (w/1.7x TC)
102142131.jpg

The following two are juveniles in flight alongside an adult.

1/1250s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso400
102142134.jpg

1/1250s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso400
102142136.jpg

Oops, look who snuck in here. Not much in the way of background but I was practicing with my new gear:D

1/1250s f/8.0 at 400.0mm iso400
102142228.jpg
Dan

My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...

Comments

  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2008
    very nice Danthumb.gif
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2008
    You are putting your lens through it's paces. Nice shots!
    www.jonimages.com
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2008
    Very nice Dan. The BIFs are especially good. The Sandies should be arriving in southern Texas by December so perhaps I will have some time to get pics then.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited August 25, 2008
    Thanks for the comments, folks.

    Yeah, John, I'm enjoying the new lens in all aspects but the weight. All of these shots were taken with it mounted on a shoulder stock but I'm beginning to see the glimmer of a gimble mount for my tripod for next spring rolleyes1.gif Also prior to having an opportunity to use the new lens I sold some old equipment and invested the funds in a D300 body. So now I have the dilema of not knowing how much of the improved IQ is due to the lens and how much is due to the D300. This weekend I considered using my D200 for comparison on the same subject matter headscratch.gif OK that's not happening...ne_nau.gif
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2008
    Excellent images. I love to capture sandhills. Down here in Florida they are very approachable, heck I had a pair hanging out on my front lawn the other day.

    A gimble style head would be a good investment.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • NorthernFocusNorthernFocus Registered Users Posts: 1,347 Major grins
    edited August 27, 2008
    Harry, they must be on vacation down there. They are hard to get close to around here. I guess it could be because they still have the juvies with them and they are being protective of them. Whatever the reason it requires some patience and a blind helps a lot.
    Dan

    My Photo Gallery:Northern Focus Photography
    I wish I was half the man that my dog thinks I am...
  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited August 28, 2008
    I believe it is do to having juvenile around. A park ranger for the National Mississippi Sandhill Crane Refuge told me the birds are very approachable unless they have young.
    www.jonimages.com
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