April 7, 2010

the boys are back in town...the boys are back in town...

actually
it's my sand hill cranes
~a boy and a girl~
that are back
in town
and
I just felt like singing
i only post processed the top photo
because
I really wanted all of you to be able to see the beauty in these birds the same way i do
~~
there's a pond on our side of town
surrounded by apartment buildings
that is basically a wildlife refuge in the city
and
i can't even begin to describe to you what this place does to my senses
springtime
is when this place comes alive
~~
mr. and mrs. crane come home
and
the bunnies and the birds and the ducks and the geese and the muskrats and the turtles
are
everywhere
there is a man made trail around the entire pond
which is a little over a mile long
and
for the next month
i can get up close and personal with just about all of my pond friends
but
by the middle of may
the pond grasses and cattails will be taller than me
and
then
game on
as i become the crazy lady
in the weeds trying not to get her feet or her camera wet
while wiggling my way closer and closer
to my very smart friends
~~
once their babies are born
they're a bit more protective
and
they play a mean game of hide and seek
but
fortunately
due to plenty of foot traffic and dusk acting like a sedative to most of them
i can still
catch most of them
enjoying the good life
right around dinner time on lazy summer evenings
and
honestly
i can't even tell you how much
pond babies make my heart melt
in these photos
I was only a few feet away from the cranes
~~
so close
in fact
that when mr. crane spread his wings and asked me dance
he scared me a bit
and
i cut off the top of his head
~
silly bird
*

45 comments:

  1. Gorgeous shots here! Brave of you :)

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  2. Hello Beth, how are you? your birds are beautiful as your pictures show wonderfully. I would ove to have the courage you have, what amazing shots!

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  3. Amazing shots Beth! I love Spring when all nature returns and new babies show up.

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  4. These are gorgeous, Beth. Every once in awhile, one of these guys would show up in thenorthern BC town where I grew up. Not sure how they ended up there, and we always thought it had somehow lost its sense of direction! Seeing one was always a special treat. Your photos are lovely, as always. Coming to your place is always refreshing and peaceful. The perfect spot for a little breather in the middle of the day!

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  5. wow, that 'dancing bird' shot is great! what a moment. :)

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  6. Gorgeous!!!! And your photos truly capture their beauty! They come here to NM too and we try and get down there to see them. Fabulous!
    Can't wait to see more photos
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  7. Oh , I want to be there with you.
    How lucky and blessed you are.
    To have that , this.
    To have your desire for it.
    Whatever you share will be a blessing for me.
    ..on Beth's Pond..

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  8. stunning!

    over the weekend we went out on the boat (first time this year) and I tried shooting a blue heron in flight, but between being on a boat, him swooping and flapping, none came out clear enough to post. I'll keep trying, though. ;-)

    wonderful captures!

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  9. what incredible images ... I see one fly over occasionally ... a sight worthy of more than one smile!

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  10. what an incrediably beautiful experience

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  11. It is amazing, Beth, that you have all these amazing creatures right near civilization and your lens. Nice, also, that you don't have crazies intent on destroying God's birds and small animals as we sometimes do here in the San Francisco area. It just enrages me when I read about some of this destruction against those helpless to defend themselves.

    What magnificent photographs. All I got was my little seagull the other day and that excited me!

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  12. Wow,the one of the crane strutting his stuff, wings outstretched is a most gorgeous pose. See, you get them to pose! I know you said you keep on the move, but I still do not get it. I have trouble with the robin in the back yard!

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  13. I think the crane may have been flirting with you.:) Beautiful birds and beautiful photography.

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  14. i love the silver and gold mix of feathers and that pop of rust red around his/her eye...is this a case where females and males look alike? like Canada geese?

    i especially like the golden hues against the pale blue....

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  15. Wow. These truly are amazing. We have blue herons at the swamp just down the hill here, I feel the same way when they return, but they never sit still long enough to let you take a photo, or at least not for me, yet. Maybe you are the bird whisperer?
    Oh, and do you want to borrow my purple wellies? they are perfect for keeping your feet dry...

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  16. WOW Beth...such amazing shots! Isn't it wonderful to see the birds back? It means that the new season is finally underway!

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  17. I thought you cut off his head on purpose, so we could concentrate on how he ruffled his feathers to look fierce. Nice to have those seasonal tourists back in town, no?

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  18. lovely lovely shots! and i will take a cosmo too, when char buys yours.

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  19. Beautiful dance you had with your friends, Lovely One !

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  20. I thank you for these glorious photos - I have never seen the cranes so close. Just beautiful!

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  21. They really are wonderful, and you were so close. You are the adventurer for sure. You sure paint a vivid picture as I could see you lurking in the weeds. Your awesome as always.

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  22. How beautiful! I've never seen this type of bird before.

    Hope all's well,
    jj

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  23. Incredible photographs!!

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  24. Incredible photographs!!

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  25. Spectacular! Oh, I love your Mr and Mrs Sandhill Crane. I have only seen them from a distance, flying by. How beautiful! Lucky you!

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  26. Look how the boys are showing off for you!! you can tell that it's spring, what a celebration!

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  27. Oh I love it... I'm thinking that wildlife shots really are the best.. these are great, I know you were pumped to get them. Can't wait to see more and see some of the babies.

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  28. one of my own favourite photos is a crane. such personality. these are great.

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  29. This is amazing - not just the photos, but the cranes themselves. You are so lucky to be able to see them in person!

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  30. Great photos! I love cranes... so graceful and beautiful

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  31. Wow! These are wonderful photos, Beth. I can sure understand your excitement at their return. Beauties, one and all.. even and especially Mr. Headless. :)

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  32. Oh Beth, what wonderful shots!

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  33. I love everything about sandhill cranes....their coloring, their call and their ackward looking bodies.

    Awesome photos Beth!

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  34. you're so lucky. when we were in nebraska i wanted to go see where the sand cranes migrate to.

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  35. amazing!! thank you for sharing this!!

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  36. Incredible! Love you're personification of the bird asking you to dance! Truly a treat for tired eyes tonight. Thank you.

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  37. Brilliant....the love you have for God's creatures is shining through.....love it.....:-) Hugs

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  38. Beautiful shots- you sure are up close and personal. Isn't it great having something so amazing so close to you?

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  39. breathtaking photos of your favorite cranes. now i'm wishing i could capture something this extraordinary. hope your having a great day.

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  40. Aren't they amazing birds? I've been known to pull over on the side of the road just to gawp at them.

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  41. The word awesome was invented to describe these birds! How lucky you are to live close to them.

    Thanks for sharing your (as always) super photos!

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  42. Oh. Wow. I would be excited too.

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  43. They rock. No one does birds better than you. No one! You need to make a Shutterfly book! That first is especially fabulous but even the unprocessed ones are great!

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  44. Fabulous birds!!! Can't wait to see you soon, sweetie.
    xoxo

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**I love reading the comments you leave, as they make me feel like we're sitting in my kitchen, having a cup of tea, discussing life and wondering where all the time has gone ...beth