It’s the perfect spot. There’s an area in the corner of the pond where the ducks always hang out. It’s shallow and there are a couple logs they can perch on to preen. It’s also a great place to photograph them because the setting sun slips through the trees and lights them up but doesn’t reach the bank behind them. So their colors and any water splashes are lit up in full glory, and even further enhanced by the stark, dramatic, contrast of the dark shadows of the shoreline. When the conditions are right and I see them begin to preen, I always turn my attention to that area for the perfect opportunity.
Almost missed the flight. In the mornings the sandhill cranes and snow geese take off from the ponds and head out to the fields to feed for the day. The sandhills leave individually or in groups of two or three but the snow geese for the most part, leave en masse. So you’ve got multiple opportunities to catch a good shot of the cranes but only one crack at the geese. And the geese give little warning so you have to stay alert. This was my last day at the refuge. I had an early afternoon flight to catch but I’d allowed enough time for one last morning of take offs. The sandhills began taking off early so I was able to get shots of all of them. The geese however, weren’t cooperating. They seemed content to sit on the pond ice and wait for it to warm up a bit more. I had to leave. It always takes a few minutes to pack all my gear away to so I keep my camera setup until everything else is packed up and put away. Still no movement. I hung out ten more minutes. Then ten more. Finally I had to pack it in. As I reached the truck they began making their tell-tale-take-off noises. I think I broke the record for getting that camera set back up. Captured them just as they took off. Caught their flight and mine. Was a great trip home.
