Containing an assortment of birds from several trips to Yellowstone, this page
includes studies of the mating displays of both the Sandhill Crane and Trumpeter Swan.

click an image to open a larger version
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Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Gallery Collections page where a Collection can be selected.

Images can be found in the Birds Collection and in the
Featured Birds Collection in the following Galleries (Direct Links)

Avocets, Stilts and Yellowlegs
Eagles
Great Blue Heron
Jays, Ravens & Magpies
Osprey
Woodpeckers
Sandhill Crane Portrait & Scenic
Sandhill Crane Mating & Display
Swans
 

American Avocet 9213

American Avocets 9215

Beside the road between Madison Junction and West Yellowstone, there is an Eagle nest that
has been there for a number of years. I was on my way to West Yellowstone one afternoon to get
some gas (you drive a LOT in the park), and went in the mid-afternoon when the light is too harsh
for much shooting (as you know). I saw that the eagle was attending the nest and decided to stop
and shoot, as this was too good of an opportunity to pass up just because of the light. I stopped by
again on the way back, when the light was far nicer. I’ve put up shots from each of the two sessions.
 

Eagle nest 0030

Shot in mid-afternoon

Eagle nest 0066
 

Eagle nest 0081
 

Eagle nest 0072

Shot in the late afternoon

Nesting Bald Eagle XL

click image to open 1500 x 1063 version

Available as an XL Signed Composite (4020 x 2850)

Bald Eagle M signed

(1520 x 1180)

No larger version available... this is my gift to you.
Personal use only, please.

Great Blue Heron 0598

Great Blue Heron 0578

Grey Jay 1027

Grey Jay 8888

Magpie 5835

Magpie_7749

Magpie 5837

Magpie 5840, 5842

Magpie 6033

Osprey with Trout

Ravens 9398

In the defocused background (top center), a grizzly bear approaches.

Red-Naped Sapsucker 6397

Red-Naped Sapsucker 6379

Red-Naped Sapsucker 6414

Red-Naped Sapsucker 6403

Red-Naped Sapsucker 6399, 6118c

This Sapsucker has learned that metal makes a better target for his pecking to attract a mate.
He used the Mammoth Hot Springs flagpole for a while, then attacked this handicapped access sign.

Red-Naped Sapsucker Pecking Sign

Sandhill Cranes

As I have detailed flight and behavioral studies of Sandhill Cranes on the
Sandhill Crane pages in the Wildlife Studies section and Bosque del Apache sections,
this page concentrates on portraits and browsing behavior of adults and juvenile Sandhill Cranes.
I have also included a study of the Mating Dance (which is not often seen in photographs).

Note the differences between the fall and early spring plumage and
compare to the winter plumage shown on the two linked pages above.

Sandhill Crane 9332

Sandhill Crane 0492

Sandhill Crane 0494

Sandhill Crane 9547

Sandhill Crane 9599

Sandhill Crane 9603

Sandhill Crane 9614

Sandhill Crane Portraits 9594, 9628

Sandhill Crane and Juvenile 9655

Sandhill Crane Juvenile 9667

Sandhill Crane and Juvenile 9686

Sandhill Cranes Yellowstone NP XXL

click image to open 1331 x 1200 version

Available as an XXL Signed Composite (5768 x 5200)
 

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance

I saw this pair crossing a meadow across from Obsidian Cliffs, just after shooting the
Coyote Winter Hunt series shown on the previous page. I hightailed it after them carrying
my trusty 300mm and a tripod, and promptly sank shin-deep into the marshy ground below
the snow. Seriously cold water. I had on alpine boots, so while it was a bit squishy, I kept after
the Sandhills, using trees as cover. About half a mile later they paused near the small creek you
can see behind them, and started their courtship dance. I immediately forgot all about my cold feet.

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance 6899

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance 6905

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance 6908

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance 6916

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance 6924

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance SXXXL

click image to open 1500 x 949 version

Available as an SXXXL Signed Composite (12050 x 7625)
— this image makes a spectacular 5 foot wide matte print —

(also available as a Framed Composite — see below)

Sandhill Crane Mating Dance (Framed) SXXXL

click image to open 1500 x 996 version

Available as an SXXXL Framed Composite (13967 x 9278)
 

Trumpeter Swans

The largest native North American bird (up to 10 ft. wingspan and up to 30 lbs.), Trumpeter Swans
often mate for life. There are few migratory breeding pairs in the United States other than Alaska,
where one of the core populations resides, so finding a breeding pair in Yellowstone is unusual.

I have included a rarely seen study of the Mating Display of the Trumpeter Swans.

Trumpeter Swans 9926

Trumpeter Swans 9913

Trumpeter Swan 9835
 

Trumpeter Swan Stretching 9830
 

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display

Trumpeter Swans 7370

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display 7328

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display 7352

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display 7384

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display 7391

Trumpeter Swan Mating Display 7396

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display XL

click image to open 1389 x 1200 version

Available as an XL Signed Composite (3300 x 2850)

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display SXXL

click image to open 1500 x 846 version

Available as an SXXL Signed Composite (9080 x 5120)
(also available as a Framed Composite — see below)

Trumpeter Swans Mating Display XXXL

click image to open 1500 x 924 version

Available as an XXXL Framed Composite (10918 x 6729)

Images in this section are in a number of different Galleries on the Photoshelter website.
The Banner below leads to the Gallery Collections page where a Collection can be selected.

Images can be found in the Birds Collection and in the
Featured Birds Collection in the following Galleries (Direct Links)

Avocets, Stilts and Yellowlegs
Eagles
Great Blue Heron
Jays, Ravens & Magpies
Osprey
Woodpeckers
Sandhill Crane Portrait & Scenic
Sandhill Crane Mating & Display
Swans