It is a pretty rare situation when you can use a Lensbaby on wildlife. However, such was the case today with these Sandhill cranes. They are wild, yet completely comfortable around humans walking right by them. . Year after year they nest here, and the next generation seems to get bolder and more habituated. . When you have wildlife that is comfortable around humans, it can be worthwhile to try some tools you wouldn’t normally use to take advantage of the situation.
It was a family of three, preening not much more than 3-4 feet away as I sat on the ground . I used this chance to get some face portraits where you can really see some up close details of these great birds It didn’t occur to me until later on when they were foraging that I should try to get some lensbaby shots of them. The lensbaby can be hard enough to focus with, let alone following along on a snail mission with a bird Most were scrapped, but I liked this one. . It’s different for sure.
At one point I was sitting waiting for one of the birds to approach me – hoping to get somewhat of an ‘upward view’ with the lensbaby Well, the bird became a little too curious with the funny looking lens on the front of my camera and zeroed in on it I am not sure if she was upset I wasn’t doing my share in the snail hunt or that the little knobs protruding from the lensbaby looked a little bit too much like small snails I had to scold her with a “Back off snail breath”, letting her know it wouldn’t have tasted good anyway. . They eventually realized I was quite useless to them in finding something to eat and went on to other hunting grounds.
I have got to purchase one of these !!
Great shots Mark !!
what a cool image Mark! great vignetting- impressive use of the LB. one of these days I hope to get down that way for the cranefest- they’re so skittish in my area..
still chuckling re: ‘snailbreath” 😉
btw, the first portrait is killer!
Hey folks, thanks a lot for comments. We may not have a lot of wildlife opportunities here in Michigan, but sometimes they are special ones.
Hi Petra,
I appreciate the honor, but certainly not worthy!
Hi Mark,
it’s me again. Just wanted to let you know that I awarded you the “Arte y Pico” award for your exceptional wildlife photography.
The details are all on my “Blooms and Blossoms” blog…
Warm regards,
Petra
Hi Mark, that is a really nice LB shot, the effect here is tremendous. Sounds like you had a great time too! -Thomas
Fantastic idea, Mark. Also informative. On my recent visit to Orlando, FL. I saw some of these same birds. I had no idea what they were called, now I do. 🙂
I saw them in an empty lot and started approaching them as stealthily as I could. The closer that I approached, the more that I realized that they were paying me little attention. I was able to get within a couple of feet of them. To them, it was no big deal. To me it was sweet! 🙂
Unfortunately, I didn’t have the Lensbaby with me, nor would I have considered it. It was kind of late in the morning, around 9:00 AM, so I didn’t get any really good shots, but it was a fun time.
I’m glad that you found a use for the Lensbaby. That’s a nice portrait.
I have to say, I think your bird photos are some of the best I’ve ever seen. You always seem to have the absolute perfect light! These are no exception. I’ve been wanting to purchase the lensbaby for a while now; thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
Hi Mark- an adorable portrait and a wonderful artistic photo. Beautiful creatures they are and astonishingly trusty. It’s the same here in the English Garden in Munich where you can take wonderful close-ups of all kinds of geese and ducks if people do not let their dogs run loose which can spoil any photo of course. It is such a wonderful feeling when wild animals do not consider you as enemy as usual. Sometimes I think they have a special antennae whom they can trust and whom not. The very 6th sense that so many humans have missing to distinct between friendship and superficial interest.
That is a cool use of a lensbaby Mark!
Wow, I can’t believe how cooperative those sandhills are, what a cool treat! I can’t get within a half mile of them here!
Ron
Wow…How awesome! Not sure that it’s good they’re getting so used to people, but bonus for you, anyway! *L* I’ve never heard of a “lensbaby.” I’ll have to Google it & find out.
That is a great photo, and I am so jealous of your up-close interaction. I see a lot of cranes where I am, but they are too wild for that close a picture.
I never knew it was snails they were hunting for, either. Very cool!
Wow – I would have never, ever though of using a Lensbaby on Wildlife. Wonderfully creative – and beautiful shots!