Sandhill cranes of several subspecies are found across most of the North American continent, but for many birders and nature photographers, the premier place to see them is the Bosque del Apache refuge in New Mexico.  In late fall and winter, roughly ten to fifteen thousand cranes gather on the refuge, roosting in pools at night, feeding in nearby fields during the day, and returning to their roosts at sunset.   In November, the gathering of photographers and their big lenses along the 'Flight Deck' at dawn or the 'Crane Pools' at dusk is nearly as impressive as the birds themselves. 
          These images were shot at the 'crane pools' along the highway leading to the refuge. The birds were getting ready to leave for their morning feeding. The night had been cold, and the ponds had frozen; a few of the cranes have little rings of ice around their legs.

• Canon 1D4, 800mm f4 IS, some with 1.4X extender (2010)