last Friday's morning in Kearney

After traipsing a half-mile to our blind in total darkness, our reward came with the dawn. Thousands of cranes in front of us, to the left and right of us. I can't remember ever being so cold. The official temp. in Kearney was +1 -- by the river flats it must have been below zero. Only my feet stayed warm in my new Cabela's boots -- they really worked!

The birds were starting to move and around and sound their calls.

Then, as if by some hidden signal, they all took off. This was truly a unique sight -- the whirring of wings -- the louder and louder calls.

None was left behind.

I have no idea how many cranes we saw.

As we returned to Kearney, we had to stop for this "artsy" scene.

As we drove the gravel, country roads, in every field there were cranes coming in from the river flats.

By now you may be tired of huge crane flock shots; but I couldn't get over the number of birds -- so I just kept shooting. I don't know how this wonder of nature can be adequately photographed.

The above eagle-after-crane event was very well described by Birdchick in her blog's March 11, post. The above and following pictures are my feeble attempts to capture what happened.
I could blame it on the fact that I was shooting only with a 70-200mm lens at the time, but Amber and Stan's timing was clearly much better.

Here the eagle is latching on to the crane's behind.

But the crane manages to escape.

The eagle does not give up and continues pursuit.

As the pair flew toward us the eagle banked away and the crane made its escape.

We continued watching Sandhills overhead for the rest of the morning.

Tomorrow, Friday afternoon's photos.

Thursday afternoon in Nebraska

I have finally downloaded all of my memory cards unto my desktop computer. Now what? How do you present a coherent selection from so many shots? I decided to do it chronologically and show you some pictures from each day, pretty much in the order they were taken.
I wanted to go to Kearney, Nebraska, because 80% (1/2 million) of the world's Sandhill Cranes pass through there. They rest & bulk up in the Platte River Basin for about a month before continuing their migration to the Arctic, Canada & U.S., and even Siberia. The cranes are joined by 7 to 9 million ducks, 3 to 5 million geese, and other water fowl.
The Snow Geese will probably leave Kearney during the next two weeks; the Cranes will be there through March and early April.

As we neared Kearney, we saw tons of Cackling Geese and various ducks in the many ponds surrounding the area.

Cackling Geese in small groups . . .

. . . and in large flocks.

The "tiny" birds in the background are Snow Geese, flying very high.

I was especially fascinated by the ever changing patterns of the Snow Geese in flight. They would make a great, moving screen saver.

Our first major discovery of the day was this Common Crane in the middle of the picture. I had never heard of it; it's not even listed in most field guides. The National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America describes it as a "Eurasian species, casual vagrant on the Great Plains, accidental farther east; almost always with migrating flocks of Sandhill Cranes." A few are seen most years in Kearney, but our group was the first to report one this season. For more details, take a look at Birdchick's blog entry of March 8.

Amber & Birdchick checking out the Common Crane.

Every open field had large & small flocks of Sandhills.

At dusk, the cranes would fly to roost on the flats by the Platte River.

At dark, we finally returned to our motel, anxiously awaiting the morning and our first stop for Friday, the blinds at Rowe Sanctuary. This meant we had to get up before 4 a.m., and find some coffee & rolls, before setting out. We were due at the blinds by about 5:15 so as not to disturb the birds.
Tomorrow, pictures from Friday morning.

we're back

After hours and hours and hours of looking out of our bus window last Thursday . . .

. . . at Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, . . .

. . . we arrived in Kearney and started to get our camera gear ready for . . .

. . . Snow Geese (how many would you like? - there were lots more on Saturday) . . .

. . . and, of course, Sandhill Cranes.
It will take me quite a while to go through, what I estimate to be, about 8 gigs worth of images. So, please stay tuned. Also, take a look at one of our co-leader Birdchik's blog for more detailed descriptions of our adventures.

Sandhill Cranes & Nebraska

Tomorrow morning I'm leaving with a small group for Kearney, Nebraska, to experience the spring rush of Sandhill Cranes and other migrants. The tour is led by Stan Tekiela of Nature Smart and Birdchick, who mentioned it in her blog today. Look for, hopefully, lots of pictures by Monday or Tuesday next week.
We'll be spending time at the Rowe Sanctuary and environs. Check out their Crane Cam beginning March 8.
The above crane pictures are from Crex Meadows and Carlos Avery.

Hummingbirds

Track the 2008 migration of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds here.

Minnesota Birding

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the single photo I had submitted for the March-April issue of Minnesota Birding was selected for the cover. It was taken on March 26, 2007, at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley.
I remember being very excited to see that a Great Blue Heron had already returned.

new site

New Nikon web site.

web sites

Due to other commitments, I have not been out taking pictures for some time -- as you can see from this blog. Today I was referred to George Lepp's web site; I spent quite a bit of time exploring and can recommend it to you, particularly on a cold or dreary day when the outdoors doesn't call you. Be sure to check out the many links.

Sax Zim Bog Festival

For one of the best detailed reports on the Festival, check out Lynne's Hasty Brook blog.
Liz has posted more photos.

protecting birds

Do you want to be proactive in protecting birds? Check out Birders United.

tonight's eclipse of the moon

For another photo of the eclipse, check my other blog.

get the right tool

My advice would be to get the right tool for the job.
If you want to spot birds, get a spotting scope.
If you want to do serious photography, get some photographic equipment.

-- John Mikes

an addition

Add Ecobirder's blog to your list for pictures from the Sax-Zim bog festival in the next day or so.

a photographer's attributes

A velvet hand, a hawk's eye -- these we should all have.
-- Henri Cartier-Bresson

Sax Zim Bog Festival

From preliminary reports, it was a huge success! Due to other obligations (see my Feb. 15 post), I was not able to make it. The organizer, Mike Hendrickson, reported 150 birders from 19 states. Plans are underway for an even bigger event next year. Liz Stanley has posted a few photos on her web site. Check the Hasty Brook and Nature Knitter blogs for more in the next day or so -- I hope!

a really TOUGH camera

Often when I want to shoot something, the only camera I have with me is the one in my Palm Treo. While it's better than nothing, it lacks resolution and focusing ability. It's been a while since I've had a small digital camera (the last one was a SONY that worked very well) so I've been thinking about a new one. One factor that has concerned me is that these small pocket cameras seem to be fragile. The answer to my search may be the new Olympus 1030 SW.
This 10-megapixel point-and-shoot camera will survive a 6.6 ft. drop, is waterproof, freezeproof, and crushproof. The only downside is the price: $400 -- but, maybe not, if it is as indestructible as claimed. Read more about it in the NY Times.

Carlos

I can watch bunnies . . .

. . . and squirrels that are smarter than I . . .

. . . for only so long. Time to get out of the office . . .

. . . and head out for Carlos Avery.
Very few birds today. A couple of chickadees, some woodpeckers making noise, and a couple of Bald Eagles at a great distance.

I stayed until sunset.

"'bye!"

persistent squirrel on my bird feeder

"My name is Ivars Krafts -- I may have several college degrees -- but I am not smarter than a red squirrel."

silly Chickadee

This Chickadee insists on eating snow even though there is a heated bird bath within 20 feet.

"You have a problem with that?"

too cold!!

As the afternoon wore on, I lost my desire to get out beyond my yard.
It was easier (and warmer) to photograph the usual suspects close to home.

(more to follow)

a bird in the hand . . .

A bird in the hand is dead.
-- Boozer's revision to Boyle's Laws

another amazing hummingbird factoid

A hummingbird that chirps with its tail -- click here.

new case

The world's toughest, airline carry-on case for your camera equipment. For more info, click here.

2008 Shorebird Workshop

In August of 2006, I attended the Big Stone NWR shorebird workshop. Based on that experience, which was excellent, I wanted to register for the 2008 Shorebird Workshop led by Bob Janssen & Doug Buri -- however, the first scheduled session was on dates that presented conflicts for me. Now a second session has been set for August 1-3. I've sent in my down payment and, hopefully, enough folks will sign up so that this second workshop can be held. I'd hate to miss it -- so, think about attending. Full details are on their website: http://www.itctel.com/buri/SHOREBIRD/index.html

How do we take pictures?

Every other artist begins [with] a blank canvas,
a piece of paper . . .
the photographer begins with the finished product.
-- Edward Steichen

$32,000

That's the price at today's exchange rate for Sigma's 200-500mm f/2.8 lens described in our blog last Wednesday. No price yet on the 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM, but it is scheduled to be released in April (I'm definitely interested).

eagles

If you are like me, you never tire of eagle photos. You can find some excellent, current, local shots on Ecobirder's blog -- take a look.

more from yesterday at Carlos

As I mentioned yesterday, it was impossible for me to get close to the hawks; very unlike last fall. They wouldn't even let my car get near, much less put up with me getting out of the car. All of these shots were with my Canon XTi and the Canon 300mm f/4 lens. On my next trip I will try for some photos with the 400mm and the 1.4x and 2x converters. Perhaps digiscoping is the way to go in these circumstances.