Sandhill Crane, Bosque del Apache NWR, Socorro New Mexico

Yesterday morning, before the winds came up, the light was beautiful at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge south of Socorro, New Mexico. A large group of Sandhill Cranes was feeding along the north end of the Tour Loop, where the refuge staff had knocked down standing corn for them. It was next to a field of winter wheat, planed by one of the families that farms the Bosque on shares, and there was much coming and going between the fields. I caught this Sandhill coming in above the wheat. You get a real sense of the power of these big birds which their matching wingspan. 

Sony RX10iii at 600mm equivalent field of view. My specialized Birds in Flight Mode, using Continuous Focus, with the Auto ISO set to provide a minimum 1/1000th second exposure. Processed in PhotoShop Express on my Android tablet.