These sandhill cranes -- along with about ten thousand others -- winter at the Bosque del Apache refuge in central New Mexico.   They roost in wet ponds, safe from terrestrial predators.  These were photographed from the 'Flight Deck' observation area.

• Canon 10D or 1D Mk. II; 500 mm IS lens, electronic flash or 100-400 IS zoom lens at 400 mm (2004)