There is something completely different about a Sandhill Crane flying directly toward you.
From the side, they're graceful. Head-on, with that enormous wingspan stretched across the frame and those long legs dropping for landing, they suddenly look almost prehistoric.
I photographed this Sandhill Crane during my Better Than Bosque New Mexico Bird Photography Workshop, just as it committed to landing.
Instead of concentrating only on the traditional side views of cranes in flight, I was watching for birds turning toward us and beginning their descent.
That's when a Sandhill Crane becomes an entirely different photographic subject.
The wings flatten, the legs drop, the feet open and, for a few seconds, you get this wonderful head-on view.
Look Beyond the Obvious Photograph
New Mexico is famous among bird photographers for its Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese, but one of the things I enjoy most is looking beyond the photographs everyone expects to make.
A crane against a clean blue sky can be beautiful. But I much prefer an image that includes some sense of place.
Here, the soft, warm colours of the New Mexico landscape became an important part of the photograph. The background is distant enough to remain beautifully out of focus, but still gives the image atmosphere and context.
More importantly, it gives us something different.
That's a big part of what we work on during my workshops: don't stop when you have the obvious photograph. Keep watching. Study the behaviour. Look for the extraordinary while photographing the ordinary.
Sometimes the difference between a good frame and your favourite image from a trip lasts only a second or two.
“Chris combines technical expertise, fieldcraft, and a genuine passion for teaching in a way that provides tremendous value. His insights into bird behavior and optimal shooting techniques significantly improved my approach to wildlife photography.
The workshop was well-organized, thoughtfully paced, and designed to maximize photographic opportunities. I left with a portfolio of images I am truly proud of and a much deeper understanding of the craft.” — Chris Fryou | Louisiana, USA | Better Than Bosque Photography Workshop
Better Than Bosque — One Spot Just Opened
A cancellation has just opened one spot on my December 5–9, 2026 Better Than Bosque Bird Photography Workshop in New Mexico.
We photograph Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and other winter birds at some of my favourite locations around Socorro, including the Bosque del Apache region.
The emphasis isn't simply on collecting another picture of a crane. It's about finding the best light and backgrounds, understanding the behaviour and being ready when something different happens.
Small group. Lots of time in the field. Lots of individual attention.
If photographing Sandhill Cranes in New Mexico has been on your list, this may be your opportunity.
One spot is available for December 5–9, 2026.
