Common Crane [trana]

Two of way too many cranes in the marsh area. Cranes are magnificent birds, but they prey on lapwings and other birds, and can cause a local population to crash. Fruängen, Dättern nature reserve, on May 11, 2019.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/400. 

Common Crane [trana]

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/500.

From our field trip to Lake Hornborga: cranes. And even more cranes. This day they counted more than 27,000 cranes at the lake. Trandansen, Hornborgasjön, on April 6, 2019.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 135mm, f/9, 1/250.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

And one rarity – one of the cranes with brightly colored rings on its legs. These are used so that researchers can trace their migration, 

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

Whooper Swan [sångsvan]

From our field trip to Lake Hornborga: although it's all about the cranes this time of year, it's also a good place to see lots – and I do mean lots – of whooper swans, taking a short break on their way north. Trandansen, Hornborgasjön, on April 6, 2019.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/9, 1/640.

Pentax K50, ISO200, 300mm, f/9, 1/400.

Common Crane [trana]

The pair of cranes at Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, has returned to their summer turf. April 18, 2018.

Pentax K50, ISO 100, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Common Crane [trana]

Field trip to Hornborgasjön. Of course there were lots of cranes. Hornborgasjön on August 13, 2017.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/10, 1/320.

Common Crane [trana]

Something scared this pair of cranes. Otherwise we would never have spotted them. Älje Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on June 4, 2017.

Pentax K50, ISO 800, 300mm, f/9, 1/320.

Common Crane [trana]

The cranes are gathering in larger and larger crowds, preparing for the migration south. Virserum, Småland, on August 27, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/13, 1/500.

Common Crane [trana]

The cranes often return to the same field year after year to breed, and if you know where to find them, you often can observe them for a good while. Something (not me) made these anxious, though, and suddenly they took to the air, loudly telling everyone else off. Dalskog, on July 8, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Pentax K50, ISO 400, 300mm, f/5.8, 1/400.

Common Crane [trana]

Just outside home. A quick glance in the sky caught these cranes, just passing by on high altitude. Uddevalla on April 21, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/10, 1/320.

Common Crane [trana]

Hornborgasjön is well known among bird lovers. In a few weeks in the spring, up to 25,000 cranes come together to dance, before they migrate further north. The whooper swans like to mingle. Trandansen, Hornborgasjön, on April 10, 2015.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/160.

Canon PowerShot A620, ISO 50, 29mm, f/4.1, 1/160.

Common Crane [trana]

A not so unusual view here: the pair of cranes. Älje-Porsen nature reserve, Uddevalla, on May 3, 2015.

Pentax K50, ISO 200, 300mm, f/11, 1/500.