Wild and Critically Endangered Whooping Cranes Foraging

[Loi Nguyen]

This is an image of a pair of wild and critically endangered Whooping Cranes taken at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. I attended the Whooping Crane Festival in Princeton, WI, and spent everyday at Necedah looking for the Whooping Cranes. This is my third attempt in getting pictures of this critically endangered species in the past 18 months. From a brink of extinction with just 21 birds left in 1947, the species has been slowly brought back to a world population of about 600.

1DX
500f4 II
1/1250
f4.0
ISO-1600
HH from car window

This is a full frame. I wish I had shot at f5.6. It was mid morning, but cloudy. I had a 1.4X on, but had to take it off and forgot to adjust the aperture. The second bird was out of focus. I sharpened its head more.

Thank you for your comments.

Loi

[Bill Dix]

Congrats on getting this rarity. Well exposed with good detail in the white plumage, and a lovely environment. The RH bird isn't working for me; I'd be tempted to crop more tightly on the LH bird if it isn't already a large crop.

[Randy Stout]

Loi:

wonderful chance to see them! On my list.

Strong sense of their environment without it overpowering them.

Lots of leg jewelery, which I am fine with. I suspect they are incredibly closely monitored to help them survive.

I have heard that very occ. one will get in with a group of Sand Hill cranes, which are very common in my area. That would be a real treat to see.

Thanks for sharing!

Randy

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent image of beautiful birds in such beautiful habitat.You have given nice story,you people must be taking absolute care of these bird, can be seen by banding of these bird.
Very nicely exposed whites.Great composition. Congrats for getting rarity.

Regards,
Satish.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Between them and the California Condors you've really been getting some good photography of critically endangered birds! Although I like the right bird's perky pose, it's too bad it is oof. The left bird has a less enticing pose but is well focused as posted. Nice sense of habitat as noted by Randy.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Loi, well exposed on these guys, and great that they both stand out in their habitat.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Loi you are a lucky guy getting these birds just only to see .
So i am ok with the frame , good suggestion / comments already made by the others.

TFS Andreas

[Loi Nguyen]

Thank you everyone for your comments. I know the image isn't que speciesite where it needs to be, but this is an exceedingly rare opportunity, so wanted to share. May be next time. Loi

[David Salem]

Great job documenting these rare beauties. Love to see one someday, hope they stick around this planet for a long time. Well done Loi