Tracking Sandhill Cranes

Every year as Fall and Winter approaches, I am reminded of one of my favorite bird species flying the friendly skies over the Midwest and South. As they fly over cities and towns and farmlands, you may not always see them at first, but you will definitely hear them coming as they sound off with their unique sqawk.

This first image I had never posted. As I prepared this post, I wanted to share an image I hadn't previously.

The Sandhill Cranes begin their journey farther north in Canada each Fall and slowly travel thousands of miles south along the eastern edges of the Mississippi Migratory Flyway. Many eventually end up in Hiawasee Wildlife Refuge in southeast Tennessee.

In this image, it was a sky blue day and late afternoon sun was highlighting the beautiful tips of the Sandhill's wings.

However, they stop multiple times along the way to rest and feed in plowed cornfields in the Midwest. The Sandhill Cranes are a beautiful majestic bird standing some 5' tall and spanning a width even longer.

Almost devoid of color, the late afternoon sky was pale white as the Sandhill Cranes flew over. Only the slightest hint of warm sun highlighted their wings.

One of the many resting places each year on their annual journey south, finds them in the thousands in Ewing Bottoms, just west of Seymour, Indiana. Here they rest, feed and continue their mating ritual dances in an effort to attain a forever life mate.

One of my favorite images of all the photographs I have captured of the Sandhill Cranes. I love the detail you can see in the feathers and the body of this majestic bird. Best of all when you capture an image and can see their beautiful red eyes clearly. That's the best.

They move around the cornfields in Ewing Bottoms and near the river bed foraging and flying in and out daily. They may rest here for several weeks, but they always move on flying further south to warmer climes. I captured these images and many more over a two year period honing my skills in phohtographing the Cranes in their natural habitat.

Their red foreheads, long, sleek legs, gray feathers, dotted with rusty spots, are all characteristic of their appearance. If you decide to track the Sandhill Crane, know these birds have rights too. I hope you will respect that as you attempt to photograph them. Always keep your distance. You will know if you are too close, as they will slowly walk away from you. Knowing this, you can get some wonderful photographs if you know when to snap.

From mating rituals to foraging to landing and liftoff. I hope you enjoyed this look back. I hope to be able to visit Hiawasee in southeast Tennessee this January before the Sandhill Cranes move back north. We shall see. I'll be back soon.

Photographer's Note: I met with a Wildlife Resources Officer for Tennessee today at Old Hickory Lake. He confirms the Sandhill Cranes are now moving north back to their breeding grounds. A tad early albeit, but case in fact.ENJOY!

Amish, Southern Kentucky

Today was the perfect day for a Sunday drive with blue skies, fluffy white clouds and abundant sunshine. My intinerary was simple. A short drive to a small community of Amish farms tucked away just west of Scottsville, in south central Kentucky. I wasn't disappointed as I reached the area in about a thirty to forty minute drive from my home. This community of Mennonites settled here many years past in search of affordable farmland having left their larger Mennonite community in Pennsylvania.

I had thought about visiting here for some time and only wished it were a day their farm markets were open. These people have peacefully co-existed here in southern Kentucky for many years, while our modern technologically-driven world surrounds them. They choose to live a 'plain' life, as they call it, with no electricity, working machinery or plumbing. It was evident everywhere I looked as horse drawn buggies and windmills blowing in the wind were plentiful.

This small community is situated within a mere seven mile stretch of land near Scottsville. They are self sustaining with their farms, school, church and shops all located within that small area. Most of the farmers, however, depend on big box stores all across our country to buy their crops. Those farmers that choose not to sell to the outside world operate roadside stands or markets, such as Habegger's Amish Market, within the community itself which attracts visitors from all over the country.

This small group of farmers settled here many years ago because they felt the modern world was encroaching on their simple way of life in central Pennsylvania where their larger Mennonite community exists.

As I was leaving the Amish area, I passed a farm where a little Amish girl was walking up the lane toward her house with her doll in her arms. I know Amish don't like their photo taken, but she wouldn't turn around so I could just get the back of her, so I finally snapped this image as I wanted a photo of her. I hope your weekend has been a good one. The temperatures and humidity today were much more bearable, yet I know it won't last. With this being the hottest Summer on record, or at best, one of them, I am looking forward to Fall. ENJOY!

Field of Dreams

As the warm months of Summer approach, 

I dream of long Summer nights, the hot sun sets low in the sky.

A soft breeze cools the warm night air.

As I drive down the dusty country road,

fields of corn sway in the late day breeze,

insects flit in and out of the rows in earnest.

The last light of the day falls below the horizon.

The sky turns a pale pink hue as another day draws to a close.

ENJOY!

Yellow Canola Fields

After learning about a farm in northern Tennessee, not far outside of Nashville, with blooming Canolas, I had to take a drive this weekend in hopes of finding it. After a good deal of turning down this road, turning around and backtracking and then turning down that road, eventually I found the farm. Sure enough, there were several fields on both sides of a country road in full bloom with yellow Canola flowers for as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful sight, not to mention a definite pick me up, what with the bright yellow blooms.

I read online that canola is not only an edible oil for consumption by both humans and animals, but it is considered to be one of the healthiest plant derived oils. As I was snapping photos one of the farmers stopped and mentioned that the Canola fields aren't planted every year. I hope your week has been a good one. The weekend is upon us and I will be conducting my second photography workshop. I will teaching Bird Photography and fortunately, for this workshop I don't have to travel. There's a ton of bird photography hot spots right out my back door all up and down Old Hickory Lake. Wish me luck! ENJOY!