First Morning on the Platte River

I’m a little behind with posting from the Platte River, but been very busy capturing images of the Sandhill Cranes and some awesome sunrises/sunsets. Today I’m taking a “short work day” so I can get caught up and try to get a few posts prepared ahead of time, for the next few days. I’m sure I will have even less time for computer work as my photo trip winds down.

My first morning on the Platte River went “as expected” … a beautiful sunrise, along with thousands of birds flying about. As the sun began to rise, a sudden roar erupted from down the river. Within seconds, the sky began filling with thousands of “black specks” as the sandhill cranes began taking to the air:

Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Cranes

Sandhill Cranes

And in this next photo, the cranes are barely visible, just above the background trees. This photo was captured for the sunrise and it’s reflection in the water of the Platte River:

Sunrise on the Platte River

I was quite a long ways from the cranes as they first took to the air. I’m estimating they were probably 4-5 miles away. Near the end of the sunrise colors (i.e., bottom photo), small groups of cranes were flying close to where I was, as they headed to the cornfields for foraging.

Photographic Equipment Used:

  • Canon 5D Mark 3 body
  • Canon EF 100-400mm, f/4.5-5.6 IS lens, with Canon 1.4x TC, shot at 560mm
  • Handheld, with IS “On”, while using the bridge’s handrail as a solid structure to hold camera against
  • ISO 3200 (top photo) and ISO 800 (bottom three photos)
  • Aperture f/9 (top 3 photos) and f/16 (bottom photo)
  • Shutter 1/800 sec. (top photo), 1/50 sec. (second photo), 1/40 sec. (third photo), and 1/20 sec. (bottom photo)

 

 

Posted in Bird Photography, Nature Photography, Travel Photography
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