Sandhill Crane and Top 20 of 2020

[Dorian Anderson]

One from my recent, birding-heavy trip to New Mexico. Bosque proved unproductive on the photo front (great birding though), but I was fortunate to catch this guy against a nice mountain frame farther north at Bernardo WMA. 99.9% of the birds took off into the wind and straight away from me, so I was happy this guy bucked the trend and departed perpendicularly to the morning light. Yeah, there could be a bit more room at right for him to fly into, but I'll keep this as is rather than add canvas. I like how the mtns disappear right at the bottom right hand edge of the frame.

I have also put together a gallery of my Top 20 frames from 2020. You've seen them all individually, but I think they make a strong collection when displayed together.

https://www.dorianandersonphotograph...arly-Favorites

Cheers,
Dorian

[David Roach]

Hi Dorian, this one alone is worth the trip and I love the framing and pose. Gallery also awesome, my man. Happy New Year to you and yours... TFS

[Kurt Bowman]

Very nice frame Dorian. I agree this one makes the trip worth it. I almost went this year and instead only stopped for a night on my way home for the holidays in Colorado. I know how hard it was this year to get good crane images, so very nice job with this! Love the BG. Great top 2020 image gallery as well!

[Jim Crosswell]

Beautiful image Dorian! Sharp from bill to toe and composed perfectly.

[gail bisson]

Happy New Year Dorian.
Classic Bosque frame.
Tack sharp and good exposure on the whites,
Gail

[dankearl]

Nice image, glad you had a good time in NM. My fav shot of the year is the Rusty Blackbird.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Happy New Year, Dorian. Nice, solid image of a Sandhill Crane in flight. The bird looks good, lovely background. Thank you for sharing.

[Steve Kaluski]

Very nice Dorian, classic shot with the hint of mountain in the BKG, love the overall colour palette really sweet. Just watch your sharpening, as there is a halo that contours around the subject. Any reason for Partial metering?

TFS
Steve

[Bill Dix]

Thanks for sharing the top 20, Dorian. A great collection, considering the difficulties that 2020 threw at us. Some favorites: Long-billed Curlew, Rusty Blackbird, Bufflehead in flight, Red-necked Phalarope close-up.

Stay healthy and have a Happy New Year.

[John Mack]

Classic sandhill against a mountain background. Nice framing and pose as well. I enjoyed looking at the top 20 of 2020.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dorian, love the light and IQ in this, together with a great flying pose. Tack sharp, well exposed with good DOF throughout. I like the hint of the OOF mountains in the BG. Well captured.