Sandhill Crane Surprise

I enjoy the surprises while hiking the most.  I intended to hike for several miles yesterday before attempting to take any pictures.  Hiking is my primary source of exercise, but I haven’t been getting as many miles since I began carrying a camera.  I’ve learned that certain times of day just don’t work well for taking photos.  So I went to the park yesterday afternoon and spent about three hours hiking and scouting places where I might be able to get photos.  I had hiked about a mile when I got my first surprise.

I had walked up on a Sandhill Crane rooting around in a field.  The bird flew up in front of me and circled the field.  I took some shots thinking it would be close enough to get a picture even if it wasn’t the best time of day for shooting photos.

I hike for exercise but truth be known, I enjoy these surprises  like seeing and taking pictures of this muddy Sandhill Crane more.  After I spent about three hours hiking, I spent an additional two hours checking locations for deer and the marsh rookery. 

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources appears to be removing an ancient iron bridge that crosses over part of the marsh.  Because of that project it appears the marsh has been partly drained.  No geese or ducks could be found, but I got some nice shots of the deer.

Have a good weekend…

Whitetail Deer: Using Cover

Yesterday’s weather bought an opportunity to spend a day hiking in warm sunshine.  I found one of the new fox dens, spotted several woodpecker homes and may have discovered an owl’s home.  I’ve never really tried to photograph owls or tried to find them because they are nocturnal. 

Without foliage I can easily find and photograph the deer, but I can imagine how difficult it would be to spot them if these bushes had leaves.  Their legs would look like part of the tangled trunks and branches.

The deer however relaxed enough while they foraged to let me take some photos.  They are enjoying the fresh clover and early leaf sprouts and were obliged to continue feasting while I photographed.