Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge - Monte Vista, Colorado

                                                                                      "X-Shot" Information

                                           Camera - Canon EOS DS Mark III

                                           ISO - 400

                                           Shutter - 1/500 sec.

                                           F/stop - 5.6

                                           Lens - 500 mm

Sandhill Cranes have been stopping in the San Luis Valley in late February for thousands of years. This is where they fuel up on their trip north. The Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge has the pleasure of their visit each year about this time. I picked up fellow photojournalist Dennis Schroeder at 5:30 am in Monte Vista, for my annual photographing of these birds. The previous night we had some bad weather and our shoot was good but not what we wanted. At night the birds roost in open water until after sunrise. We pulled into a spot, with our lights off, that we had checked out the night before.  It had open water. As we were quietly getting out of my jeep, the birds were disturbed and began moving away from us. So we moved to another spot, this time we parked down the road and walked towards our new subjects. We had 500 mm lenses on mono pods. This didn't seem to bother them as much so we settled in waiting for sunrise. I have shot this migration many times and have a great collection from over the years. The one shot missing from this group was an image of the dancing birds, so that was my main goal. These creatures mate for life and the dance strengthens their bond. When the light came over the mountains to the east, the birds started to get active. As I took pictures of one couple dancing, the light hit them perfectly and my goal was completed. Most of these shots were made with my 500. The birds don't let you get very close most of the time so I would recommend using a big piece of glass, if you want some close-up photos. This is something I will always come back to. It's one of my favorite things to watch and photograph.

          "X-Shot" location information

1. Take hwy. 15 south out of Monte Vista until you come to the refuge office 

    on the left.

2. You can get a map here of places to go for viewing.

3. Mid-week would be best with less people around.

4. If you don't have a big lens, you might be able to rent one.

5. Best time for taking pictures is in the morning and evening.

Ken Papaleo

Colorado Photographer

All photographs for sale, contact e-mail address below.

kenpapaleo@highcountrycoloring.com