30 composite images of Sandhill Cranes including takeoffs, landings, flight studies,
courtship and the Mating Dance of the Sandhill Cranes in Yellowstone National Park.

Individual images from the composites below are on the relevant pages,
(the Takeoffs, Takeoff Sequences, Flight, Landings and Breeding pages).

Click an image to open a larger version.
Use your back button to return to this page.

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Sandhill Cranes Collection where a Gallery can be selected.

There are 5 Galleries in the Photoshelter Sandhill Cranes Collection

Sandhill Crane Feeding XXL

A 1500 x 740 version of the XXL Composite (4916 x 2425) showing three images of a Sandhill Crane feeding.
The crane is quite adept at probing for food. It pokes its beak into a farm field to find seeds, tubers and insects.

Sandhill Crane Morning Display XXL

A 1500 x 1048 version of the XXL Composite (4938 x 3450) showing four images
of a Sandhill Crane performing an emphatic morning display at Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Crane Portraits SXL

A 1500 x 1131 version of the SXL Composite (3979 x 2910) showing quarter and frontal portraits
of a Sandhill Crane in its red-ochre fall plumage, taken in early October at Yellowstone National Park.

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance SXXXL

A 1600 x 1012 version of the SXXXL Composite (12050 x 7625) showing 30 images
of the Mating Dance of the Sandhill Cranes, taken in May at Yellowstone National Park.

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Sandhill Cranes Collection where a Gallery can be selected.

There are 5 Galleries in the Photoshelter Sandhill Cranes Collection

Mauve Morning Takeoff XXL

A Sandhill Crane takes off at dawn on an overcast day at Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge.
On days with a thin overcast, the diffused light of sunrise creates a mauve to orange color on water.

A 1500 x 1042 version of the XXL Composite (6010 x 4175) showing four images of the sequence.

Mauve Morning Takeoff XXXL

A 1500 x 778 preview of the XXXL Composite (9886 x 5125), showing the full 12 image takeoff sequence.

Sandhill Juvenile Mauve Takeoff XXL

A 1600 x 389 version of the XXL Composite (7412 x 1800) showing a juvenile Sandhill Crane
taking off for the fields in mauve morning light, on an overcast December day at Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Crane Sunrise Takeoff SXXL

A 1500 x 693 version of the SXXL Composite (7412 x 3425) showing a six image running takeoff sequence
taken during a five minute period when clouds reflected the golden glow of a beautiful New Mexico sunrise.

Sandhill Crane Sunrise Takeoff 4691-95 LG

A 3749 x 732 composite showing five detail crops of the takeoff sequence bathed in the golden glow of sunrise.

Sandhill Crane Flyout Sequence XXXL

A 1600 x 745 version of the XXXL Composite (12894 x 6000) showing a six image flyout sequence.

A Sandhill Crane in the characteristic position telegraphs his intent to fly by leaning into the wind.
Another crane nearing the end of his takeoff run blasted past the crane in the pre-takeoff position,
causing him to start his takeoff run (the first bird is not shown in the composite). The images at the
upper right show the crane using an unusual hop, step and jump technique to spring into flight.

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Sandhill Cranes Collection where a Gallery can be selected.

There are 5 Galleries in the Photoshelter Sandhill Cranes Collection

Sandhill Crane Juvenile Ice Takeoff at Dawn XXXL

A 1500 x 766 version of the XXXL Composite (9886 x 5050) showing 12 images from a comical takeoff
sequence on a cold January morning, in which a juvenile attempts to achieve balance and traction on the ice.

Sandhill Crane Running Takeoff SXL

A 1200 x 1330 version of the SXL Composite (3000 x 3325) showing three images of an adult
Sandhill Crane with a far more refined technique for taking off from the slippery ice in January.

This is made from detail crops of the 1st and 2nd images and the 4th image from Leaving the Ice.

Leaving the Ice XXXL

A 1600 x 618 version of the XXXL Composite (12360 x 4775) showing 15 images of a running takeoff from the
frozen Main Pond at Bosque del Apache in January, transitioning from shadows into the golden light of sunrise.

Sandhill Crane Morning Flyout Sequence XXXL

A 1600 x 621 version of the XXXL Composite (12360 x 4800) showing a 15 image flight study
sequence, shot just after takeoff from the ice on the Main Pond at Bosque del Apache in January.

Sandhill Crane Flight Portraits SXXL

A 1500 x 693 version of the SXXL Composite (7412 x 3425) showing five flight portrait detail crops
from the Morning Flyout Sequence, and the 6th image, an isolation portrait taken after the 5th image.

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Sandhill Cranes Collection where a Gallery can be selected.

There are 5 Galleries in the Photoshelter Sandhill Cranes Collection

Sandhill Crane Gallop XXL

A 1600 x 443 preview of the XXL Composite (7220 x 2000) showing an unusual galloping takeoff at sunrise.

Sandhill Cranes Takeoff 5785-86 SXL

A 1500 x 496 version of the SXL Composite (4938 x 1632) showing the squat and spring takeoff technique.

Sometimes, when the wind is a little stronger, Sandhill Cranes simply squat down and spring into the air.
The image on the left shows cranes in all three of the positions: the squat, the spring and the takeoff.

Sandhill Crane Takeoff Flight Study 5682-83 LG

A 2000 x 759 flight study composite, just after takeoff on a cold December morning in golden light.

Light like this can be elusive... it requires clouds over the eastern horizon to reflect the light, but the
clouds must be high enough to avoid blocking the sun when it rises to a height which yields this light.

Sandhill Takeoff Pair SXL

The linked image is a 1500 x 648 version of the SXL Composite (4978 x 2150).

The 2nd and 5th images of the sequence below showing near-full extension on upbeat and downbeat.

Sandhill Crane Flight Study XXXL

A 1600 x 1068 version of the XXXL Composite (9886 x 6600) showing a 16 image Flight Study sequence.

Takeoff is the most energy-demanding aspect of flight, and the 8000 foot altitude at Bosque del Apache
generally requires a significant takeoff run for these large birds to generate the airflow to create enough lift.
Once they are airborne, the Sandhill Cranes flap their wings with great power, scooping air for lift and thrust.

This composite shows all parts of the flapping sequence, including the partial and full extensions of the
upbeat and downbeat phases, forward shoulder rotation for thrust and additional lift on the downbeat
and rearward rotation along with bending of the elbow to reduce drag, and the bending of the primary
feather tips at the middle and end of the downbeat phase which is caused by the force of air pressure.

Sandhill Cranes Morning Takeoff XXL

A 1500 x 987 version of the XXL Composite (4938 x 3250) showing a four image takeoff sequence.

Two Sandhill Cranes fly past another crane who is in the midst of a running takeoff.
The most elusive and desirable moment to capture in a running takeoff on water is the
instant both feet are out of the water, with one toe dragging the surface as shown above.

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Sandhill Cranes Collection where a Gallery can be selected.

There are 5 Galleries in the Photoshelter Sandhill Cranes Collection

Sandhill Crane Morning Flyout XXXL

A 1600 x 829 version of the XXXL Composite (9886 x 5125) showing a 12 image flyout sequence.

The Sandhill Crane runs on the water to gather takeoff speed and lift for its flight to the Farm Fields.
The crane flaps its wings with great energy, rotating its shoulders forward on the downbeat to scoop
air for more forward thrust and lift, and back on the upbeat while bending its elbows to reduce drag.

Sandhill Crane Counter-Wind Takeoff LG

A 3015 x 690 sequence showing an unusual takeoff from north to south. Prevailing winds
move from north to south, and the birds generally take off into the wind to gain additional lift.
The images in the sequence begin at the right and continue left in the direction of movement.

Sandhill Crane Flight Study HS6295-96 M

A two image overlay composite of a Sandhill Crane in a brilliant blue sky on a cold December morning.
The portraits were taken at near full extension on the downward beat and 2/3 extension on the upward beat.
There is a 3:2 aspect ratio XL version of this flight study composite available (the XL version is 3000 x 2000).

Sandhill Crane Head-on XXL

A 1200 x 1262 version of the XXL Composite (4288 x 4508) showing a rapid head-on approach.

This Sandhill Crane seemed to be a little freaked out by the long black telephoto lens.
As he flew overhead, the crane’s eyes bugged out and he squawked and screamed at me.

Sandhill Crane Sunset Landing XXL

A 1500 x 1036 version of the XXL Composite (6010 x 4150) showing four shots from a landing sequence
taken at the perfect frontal angle at sunset, in the marsh in front of the Main Pond at Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Cranes Thermal Glide at Dusk XXL

A 1600 x 1110 version of the XXL composite (4933 x 3261)
showing a group of Sandhill Cranes gliding in on a thermal at dusk.

Sandhill Crane Dusk Landing SXL

A 1200 x 1284 version of the SXL Composite (3000 x 3210) showing three images of a Sandhill Crane
landing in the soft golden light at dusk in December, in one of the small Crane Pools at Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Crane Dusk Landing 7092-96 SXL

A 1200 x 1340 version of the SXL Composite (3000 x 3350) showing three images of a Sandhill Crane
landing in the soft golden light at dusk in December, in one of the small Crane Pools at Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Crane Dusk Landing 6246-50 SXL

A 1500 x 1165 version of the SXL Composite (3605 x 2800) showing four images of a Sandhill Crane
landing in dark mauve light at dusk in December, in one of the small Crane Pools at Bosque del Apache.

These last three composites were all taken in difficult low-light conditions, requiring very careful technique.

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Sandhill Cranes Collection where a Gallery can be selected.

There are 5 Galleries in the Photoshelter Sandhill Cranes Collection

Click the Display Composite above to visit the Sandhill Cranes: Takeoffs page

Click the Display Composite above to visit the Sandhill Cranes: Takeoff Sequences page

Click the Display Composite above to visit the Sandhill Cranes: Flight page

Click the Display Composite above to visit the Sandhill Cranes: Landings page

Click the Display Composite above to visit the Sandhill Cranes: Fall Plumage and Mating Dance page

Click the Display Composite above to visit the Sandhill Cranes: Scenics and Assorted Images page

Click the Display Composite above to return to the Sandhill Cranes Wildlife Study Overview page