Thursday, March 17, 2011

AFTER MIDNIGHT

A wintering flock of Canada geese rests along Blue Creek under a blanket of stars while a waxing moon casts its faint glow on the surrounding prairie. I had set up a tent blind along the creek at this location a couple days prior. When the birds would leave on their evening flight to feed, I would crawl into the blind and spend the night. They would come back at dusk each night to roost, then leave the roost again shortly after sunrise. Blue Creek starts as a series of powerful springs that well up from the Ogallala Aquifer and continually feed the stream on its journey to the North Platte River in the western Sandhills of Nebraska. The powerful spring sources keep water open even in the depths of winter. Combined with its remote location, it is an important sanctuary for wintering waterfowl.


3 comments:

  1. Cool shot Michael. We are definitely spoiled by the incredible opportunities to photograph and see waterfowl here in Nebraska!

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  2. This shot reminds me of my first (and only to date) duck hunt! I was in the middle of the Sandhills and we got out to the waters edge way before sunrise to get set up. There was absolutely no wind and the water was like glass. The dark, moonless, star-filled sky was reflected on the water. Normally, the sky in the Sandhills alone is worth preaching about, but to have a it reflected on the water was breath taking. Probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

    We were only able to take 2 birds that day (1 per person), but it has been my favorite hunt to date, simply because of the way the day started.

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  3. The most rare image of Canada geese I've ever seen, for sure. Outstanding

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