Sandhill Cranes

[AgingEyes]

A couple of sandhill crane shots.

Yup, this one was shot in vertical format :blush2:

[CaraRose]

That second one is spectacular

[scott-devon]

Excellent, especially that 2nd one.

[Eric D]

Spectacular as always,,,love the second shot...spot on!

[OldClicker]

That second shot is outstanding. - TF

[paulnj]

That second image is a winner!!!!!!

[Loupey]

Simply amazing! You guys (and girls) are doing terrific out there.

The 2nd image is something I would expect to see in NG, Audubon, or NWF.

[Shebang]

I saw a square crop do wonders for a photo on the Critique forum - could that maybe save your number 1?

.....but then who's even thinking about #1 after seeing #2!! That is an absolutely amazing shot!! Beautiful!!! :thumbsup:

[BJW]

Wow, these pictures are absolutely beautiful and so is the bird!

[BlueRob]

WoW! awesome shots! the 2nd one is sweet!

[AgingEyes]

I saw a square crop do wonders for a photo on the Critique forum - could that maybe save your number 1?

Many people, including myself have to admit, believe that this image is a disaster...pretty much no from in front of the sandhill crane and the background is far from ideal. However, a well-known photog thinks otherwise. A shot like this - bird in flight in vertical format, in his opinion, could be used for a magazine cover. He thinks this shot would be better if the bird has taken off at a steeper angle - which may require stronger wind. The thing that bothers him the most is the grass near the bottom in the photo.

[AgingEyes]

The 2nd image is something I would expect to see in NG, Audubon, or NWF.

C'mon, Loupey! You're too kind :blush2: :blush2:



Thank you all for the nice comments !!

[Shebang]

[QUOTE=AgingEyes]Many people...believe that this image is a disaster...QUOTE]

Oh, no, it's not a disaster! Check out my gallery if you need to see a disaster

[armando_m]

the 2nd photo is fantastic

for the first you think it might have been an improvement if you kept shooting with the bird still at low altitude but flying over the water ?

[mn shutterbug]

The first image is nice, but the second one is just plain WOW. Everything about it is perfect. Congrats.

[OldClicker]

Congrats on the Featured Photo. You have reached the top rung on the PR ladder with this one. - TF

[CaraRose]

Congrats on a well deserved feature.

[AgingEyes]

Thank you again, folks !!

I just got lucky this time. This sandhill crane was trying to get away from another crane that somehow started to bother it, hence the wing position and the water splash.

As for the take-off one, generally we would like to have some room in front of the crane for it to move into. Some people also find the background messy. Myself, I believe I pressed the shutter button a split of a second late and so the crane was flying at a tiny angle away from me, which is not preferable most of the time. I still have a few frames after that, the background in them is a bit better and the crane is totally air-borne, flying not that high from the water surface. But I like the timing of this one better: wings up and the legs just off the ground.

[kisu]

Both great but the second one is truly spectacular

[Grandpaw]

You have truly outdone yourself with that second shot and I would like to say that I totally agree with loupey on this shot. An exceptionally fine capture, wish it were mine, Jeff

[Canyon Hiker]

That is a beautiful shot. Congrats on the Feature Photo, well deserved.

Darin