Sandhill Cranes in Monte Vista

Griffin

I'm new to bird photography, so I'm still trying to find the right techniques -- I'd really like to get more sharp pictures. I recently bought a 100-400, and was just tagging along with my master birder mother-in-law on this bird trip.

These are from the sandhill crane migration that comes through Monte Vista Colorado every year. For some I was able to get within 50 feet of the birds just by parking the car at the lookout area. I tried to use the tripod as much as I could, but it was still tricky to get steady shots.

#1

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#2

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#3

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#4

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Harryb

Welcome to the Wildlife Forum.

The highlights in #3 are blown. You have to watch out for that when they get aloft and into the brighter light.

astrostu

Second and third are my favorites.

bfjr

Harryb wrote:

Welcome to the Wildlife Forum.

The highlights in #3 are blown. You have to watch out for that when they get aloft and into the brighter light.

Welcome again and what he said

Griffin

bfjr wrote:

Welcome again and what he said

Thanks!

hmmm I should have processed that one a little more to recover more of the highlights, but it still would not get it back to a proper exposed bird (nevermind the noise and the slight out of focus).

Do you dial the exposure compensation down once they are taking off to handle this?

raptorcaptor

Griffin wrote:

Thanks!

hmmm I should have processed that one a little more to recover more of the highlights, but it still would not get it back to a proper exposed bird (nevermind the noise and the slight out of focus).

Do you dial the exposure compensation down once they are taking off to handle this?

Once you have been doing this awhile it will become second nature and you will be able to read the situation more easily. The important thing is to look at your histogram regularly.

fool4thecity

I like the detail in number 1. Nice shots.