Sandhill Crane Reshoot

[mjs1973]

I went back to visit this nesting SH crane with some better gear. Here are a few shots that I really liked.

The 1st image is actually 4 photos stitched together.
The 2nd photo is full frame, taken @ 500mm with a 2x TC.
The 3rd image is 2 photos stitched together.
The 4tt shot is full frame at 170mm.

[cyberlord]

Nice! Glad you went back out.

[Jaedon]

Very nice. Excellent job on the reshoot Michael.

I likve the pano style shot the best. The wide crop really gives it a different feel.

[Knight]

Nice work Excelent Captures

[mjs1973]

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment Cyberlord, Jaedon and Knight. I was pretty happy with the way these turned out, considering the limited access to her. She isn't too far off the road, but view is pretty obstructed with trees, and brush. I will go back again sometime, and try to get a shot from a different angle. I would like some more "environmental" type shots. That's what I was going for with the last image.

[readingr]

Excellent work - can't say anything else.

Roger

[mjs1973]

Thanks Roger.

[big baldo]

Nice find!The rust color on the plumage is fantastic! Its amazing that their color can change like that. They kind of look out of place lying on the ground. I have been told that they can be vicious while on their nests, so be careful!!:thumbsup:

[Loupey]

Nice job, Michael. I especially like #3.

I've never tried to stitch anything before. I imagine its for making BIG enlargements? Can the seam be seen in a blow up? What is the resulting file size for a 4 image stitch?

[mjs1973]

I've never tried to stitch anything before. I imagine its for making BIG enlargements? Can the seam be seen in a blow up? What is the resulting file size for a 4 image stitch?

Loupey,

The final size of the 4 image stitch is 62.7mb, the pixel dimensions are 4424x2661. I'm sure that would make a pretty big print. I still have some fixing to do on the seams. I didn't notice them at 100%, but I can see them at 200%.

The final size of the 2 image stitch is over 51mb, the pixel dimensions are 4753x1900.

These #'s are for the 16bit layered PSD files.

[mjs1973]

Thanks BB and Loupey.

BB, I have read that the change in color is often caused by staining. The cranes beaks get dirty from digging in the mud for food, and when they prean, the mud from their beaks stains their feathers.

Loupey, I will check on the file sizes when I get home, and report back. The reason I stitched these together was because at 500mm I couldn't get the whole bird in the frame. When I went to a wider focal length, to get the entire crane in the shot, it appeared smaller than I wanted.

[Lava Lamp]

Good stuff. I've only seen these birds twice -- once in WI, where I didn't have a camera, and once in FL, where I was going 75 on the interstate.

[paulnj]

Great job a capturing her and nice stitching too.