Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)

Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis

The *Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)* nests in parts of the northwestern United States and over much of Canada. The species winters in parts of Texas, New Mexico and other southern states. The first 4 shots on this page are of wintering birds and were all taken at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in December, 1999, with a Canon EOS 1N and EF 600mm F/4 L lens and a 1.4 X extender on Fuji Velvia pushed one stop.



The next 13 images are all digital captures and were all taken at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in November, 2005, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens.












The cranes in the next six images at right were engaged in a dispute. These images were taken at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in November, 2005, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens.






The image at right and the next 31 below were all shot at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in November, 2006. These images were all taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens.














The four cranes at right were shot against the sunset.
The Sandhill Crane at right has found a corn cob and wants to keep it for himself.

When the wind is right, some of the cranes may land facing directly at the photographer which makes an interesting image.






The crane at right and several images following are flying with their legs folded forward and tucked into their belly feathers. They only do this in very cold conditions. On this particular occasion it was about 10 degrees F. Pretty cold for a Texan, let me tell you!





The Sandhill Crane on the right was sitting on a nest in Osceola Co., Florida, in February, 2007.
The next 17 images of Sandhill Cranes were also taken at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., New Mexico, but in November, 2009.
















The next 17 images of Sandhill Cranes were taken at Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico, in November, 2011, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 800mm F/5.6 L IS lens.






Close up detail of the head of Sandhill Crane. The bird had been foraging on muddy ground.
Close up detail of the head of a vocalizing Sandhill Crane.


Close up detail of the head of Sandhill Crane. The bird had been foraging on muddy ground.
Close up detail of the head of Sandhill Crane. The bird had been foraging on muddy ground.
Close up detail of the head of Sandhill Crane. The bird had been foraging on muddy ground.



Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 26 November 2011
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 26 November 2011
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 26 November 2011
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis along Hwy 84, near Roscoe, Nolan Co., Texas 10 December 2014 Lat 32.512313, Lon -100.658283
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis along Hwy 84, near Roscoe, Nolan Co., Texas 10 December 2014 Lat 32.512313, Lon -100.658283
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis surrounded by Snow Geese Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 15 January 2015
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 15 January 2015
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 15 January 2015
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis leucistic bird with normal birds Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 15 January 2015
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis leucistic bird with normal birds Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 15 January 2015
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis near Gonzales, Gonzales Co., Texas 29 December 2017
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018
Sandhill Crane Grus canadensis in flight Bosque del Apache N.W.R., Socorro Co., New Mexico 4 February 2018