I did not make it out to the refuge at dawn even once this trip. With family with me, and the resulting car complications, it simply was not possible. But I did get there early. Sunday morning the eastern sky was blocked by a heavy bank of clouds so actual sunlight on the water was delayed by almost two hours. This shot, with the Sandhill Crane illuminated by the sun near the top of the obstructing clouds, has a dawn feeling, but with stronger light on the bird. Ideal really. At true dawn the bird would have been a dark silhouette, no matter what magic I did with exposure.

The Sandhill, by the way, is not checking out a passing aircraft (or Eagle for that matter). This is most likely a young male trying on his mating moves.

Canon SX40HS at 716mm equivalent field of view. f5.8 @ 1/250th @ ISO 200. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.

Processed in Lightroom for Intensity, Vibrance (for the light on the water), and Sharpness.