Greetings from San Cristobal, NM
Well, we did make it to the Monte Vista NWR in southern Colorado last week, a couple of hours drive each way from home. There were plenty of Sandhill Cranes, not as many as there will be next week and the week after. My only complaint (not really a complaint) the cranes were quite far away from the accessible areas. I got this first image as they flew overhead from one marsh to another. I thank them for that! Hearing the primordial sounds the cranes make made the trip worthwhile.
Driving north from home we ran into these two creatures having a chat along the roadside. I should clarify, the raven was doing all the yacking. The eagle had nothing to say and was unperturbed by the raven or our presence. Incidentally, this is a very large raven.
It’s difficult to pass by this location on the drive to the grocery store. I whipped past this time but decided to turn around and make yet another image, (I have a lot of pictures from this location). One thing, certainly not the only thing about photography, it gets me outdoors and into nature. As cold and windy as it was, any time I am out in the environment it is a good thing.
Below is another favorite location, the “welcome tree” greeting visitors as they crest the hill rising from the Rio Grande Gorge. The tree accompanies the massive vista of the Gorge extending as far as the eye can see, that would be Colorado. I first saw this tree when I arrived in New Mexico in 1984. The tree, sadly, is on its last legs. I keep making images when I pass and I reckon I’ll be making images until it’s gone, that’s my way of honoring its presence after all these years.
Last week this crescent moon made an appearance the day after the new moon, (no moon). It was 1-2% and difficult to spot. I found it by looking through the lens in the general direction suggested by my TPE app on the phone. The clouds gave way just enough at the right time.
As always, thank you for looking. I really appreciate all the wonderful comments and compliments. Have a great week. I’m planning on it. G
26 thoughts on “Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagle, Red Willow Winter, Crescent Moon.”
Bravo!
Thank you, Mark. I hope you are well. G
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, Melissa. G
Thanks for yet another excellent blog with a fine mixture of images and reportage. Hope to see the Sandhill cranes when they begin their migration to Wisconsin’s Horicon Marsh about an hour from Milwaukee. Regrettably, there are ‘Sportsmen’ in Wisconsin with powerful allies in the Legislature who want the state to authorize a Sandhill crane hunting season despite the lack of any real need. And the knowledge that inevitably Sandhill cranes will be mistaken for Whooping cranes whose painstakingly persistent restoration has been led by the Wisconsin-based International Crane Foundation. Anyway – thank you again for your wonderful photography and blog.
Hi James. Thank you for the compliments. I sincerely hope you get to see the cranes. Frankly “sportsmen” make me sick. Does anyone eat the cranes they kill?
Have fun with the other kind of shooting when the cranes return. Thank you, James. G
A few years ago I put together some items into a summary blog post (below) when the issue first arose. I’d read that some people eat them, others say they are unpleasant. As you say, some ‘sport.’
https://thepoliticalenvironment.blogspot.com/2017/11/joel-kleefisch-facts-needed-in-sandhill.html
Mainly, such “sport” is mostly just the urge to kill something. Ugh!
Thank you for sharing, Jim. I’ll give it a read. G
I agree. Thank you, Jay. G
Love the conversation image!
Thanks so much, Gregg. G
The cranes have been over Rocky Ford, CO. March 8 and 9, our daughter says. San Luis Valley ravens have been too skittish for my camera. The raven was probably giving the eagle some false information about food gathering on the other side of the valley.
Those darn ravens. Got to love them. The cranes are heading back north for sure. Cold temperatures this week may halt their progress for a bit. Thank you, Larry. G
Wonderful work, Geraint! Hope to get to Taos this summer.
Thanks so much, Peter. I look forward to seeing you. G
amazing!
Thank you, Ron. Stay well. G
Thank you for this visual vacation — so lovely
Thank you, Kristine. I really appreciate your compliment. G
Thanks so much for your photos, Geraint. I just love and have for some time–so evocative. And the landscape itself—a photographer’s dream come true. We go every year to see the Sandhill Cranes here in Northern CA in the Sacramento River delta. They are marvelous.
Thank you so much, Judy. I really appreciate your compliments on my work. There is plenty of landscape here for sure. I’m glad you get to see the cranes where you are. G
Every one of these photographs is spectacular! OH! Those red willows get me every time.
Thank you so much, Jo. I just can’t pass up another shot. This location is my new variation on the theme of Monet’s haystacks. G
Hi great to share your amazing images once again. Thankyou.
Thank you so much, Alison. I hope you are well. G