Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: Sand Hill Cranes, Monte Vista, Colorado

"X-Shot" information.

Camera - Canon EOS 5D Mark II

ISO - 400

Shutter - 1/2000 sec.

F/stop - 4.5

Lens - 500 mm

NOTE - Tripod was used for this shot.

LOCATION.

1. Monte Vista is about a four hour drive from Denver.

2. The Sand Hill Cranes stop in this area on their way to Idaho, to spend the summer.

3. The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a good area to locate the birds.

4. The cranes could be gone by now, check with the Wildlife Refuge.

This is the second part of my crane shoot from a couple of weeks ago. I mainly use a 500 mm lens on a tripod and have another body with a 70/200 zoom. I shoot with both bodies, making sure everything doesn't look the same. Using a high shutter speed stops all movement, letting me get up-close sharp images. Early morning and late afternoon, past sunset, are the best time to take pictures.

MORE PHOTOS FROM THIS SHOOT BELOW.