New on 500px : We are Family by chrishpetersen by chrishpetersen

A mated pair of sandhill cranes lead the way for a youngster on the very long northbound spring migration.

Unlike many birds, sandhill cranes tend to be monogamous (one male mates with one female). Once breeding pairs form, they can remain together for many years. The small family groups fly together within the massive migration flocks.

You can tell by the crimson red “cap” feathers that the two lead birds in this trio are an adult pair. The smaller bird in the rear lacks the adult crimson cap, and is probably last year’s offspring.

Cranes are like geese and often fly in formations. The older stronger birds lead the way, and the younger birds draft in the wake they create. The older cranes even slow their pace to enable the younger birds to keep up during the long migration flights.

I would encourage you to watch the cranes flying at dawn and dusk (Central Time Zone), during the migration on the Rowe Sanctuary live web cam (you will see an ad first): http://bit.ly/24XaVvG

Leave me a comment or email me if you would like more information on the crane migration and photographing them: chrishpetersen@live.com

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New on 500px : Miracle of Flight by chrishpetersen by chrishpetersen

A sandhill crane soars overhead with elegance and grace … creating a sense of wonder at nature’s miracle of flight.

Mother Nature has been working on the miracle of flight with cranes for a long time!! A 10 million year old crane fossil has been found in Nebraska. To put that in perspective, homo sapiens have only been around about 200,000 years.

From the perspective in this photo you can appreciate the amazing construction of wings that can span more than 7 feet (2m). There are intricate overlapping layers of wing feathers that enable this bird to soar up to 13,000 feet in altitude.

I would encourage you to watch the cranes flying at dawn and dusk (Central Time Zone), during the migration on the Rowe Sanctuary live web cam. When you click you will first have to watch an ad before you can view the web cam for free: http://bit.ly/24XaVvG

Leave me a comment or email me if you would like more information on the crane migration or photographing them: chrishpetersen@live.com

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New on 500px : Heavy Crane Traffic on the Flyway Highway by chrishpetersen by chrishpetersen

The spring sandhill crane migration on the “Flyway Highway” is already in full swing along the Platte River in Nebraska.

Each spring, a magical migration happens in the Great Plains. More than 600,000 sandhill cranes converge on Nebraska’s Platte River valley—a critical sliver of threatened habitat in North America’s Central Flyway. They stop to feed and rest before completing their long journey to Canada’s nesting sites.

Along with the cranes come millions of migrating ducks and geese in the neighboring rainwater basins. And following these migrations are literally hundreds of photographers from all over the world.

After seeing my international wildlife photos, some have asked if I ever take wildlife photos from my home area. Absolutely! There is nothing quite like the experience of seeing and hearing hundreds of thousands of cranes descending from sky like paratroopers as they go to roost each night on the Platte River.

To find out more about how you might photograph this amazing migration, and support the efforts to preserve crane habitat, do a search for Rowe Sanctuary and the Crane Trust.

I’m also happy to provide you with details.
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New on 500px : Age of Innocence by chrishpetersen by chrishpetersen

This adolescent macaque looks “innocent” enough, but they can be some of the most destructive little devils on this planet!

Some say that the “eyes are the window to the soul”. As you can see, the eyes of the macaques are beautiful, intense and always alert for the prowling tigers and leopards! They are the alarm signals of the forest.

Macaques are often called the “old world” monkeys. There are some 23 species of Macaques which are spread from Japan to India.

You can tell this is a young adolescent because it lacks the characteristic deep wrinkles in the face. This one only “posed” briefly before joining the rest of raucous troupe.

Macaques are notorious for getting into everything. Give them a crack and they will invade your cabin or car. Within mere seconds, they use those “cute” hands and feet to tear apart your suitcase in search of food.

While on safari in India or Africa it is sometimes easy to overlook the “small stuff” which can be beautiful in their own right.

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New on 500px : A spooner in flight – India by chrishpetersen by chrishpetersen

Eurasian spoonbills congregate in India during the nesting season. This is one of many at Ranganathittu bird sanctuary.

As noted in my previous photo of the crocodile, this is one of the many bird species making their nests in the isles along the river sanctuary. The crocs protect the nests and birds from marauding monkeys trying to invade the islands and nest sites.

These spoonbills are a different species from those in found in Africa. They are just as beautiful in flight as they are wading in the shallow waters feeding. The orange/brown around the neck is prominent during breeding season. You can’t quite see the head plume of feathers which is laid back on the neck in flight.

Special thanks to my host Raghupathi K V and all his great knowledge of birds and sanctuaries in India.

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New on 500px : King of the Karoo by chrishpetersen by chrishpetersen

A majestic Kalahari springbok leaps with power and grace across the arid plains of the Karoo in Africa.

The Great Karoo stretches over 400,000 kilometers across South Africa. It is a unique semi-desert ecosystem where the springbok thrive and range free. Capturing one going full speed is a major photographic challenge!

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