Sandhill Cranes Vocalizing at Kyburz Flat - Sierra County California Poster

Kyburz Flat near Truckee in Sierra County, California is a birdwatcher's paradise (at least in mid-May). The meadow and marsh area there is home to a great number of water and shore birds, including many sandhill cranes (Antigone canadensis). While my wife and I were camped there, it was rare for 10 minutes of daylight to elapse without hearing them. If you've been around them, you can probably hear this photo — their calls carry quite a distance. This morning was clear and sunny, so I took a stroll down toward the marsh when this pair flew in and landed. I know they're a pair since they engaged in some (ahem) mating behavior shortly after landing. I was still too far from them to get good shots of that behavior, and I want to keep my portfolio PG anyway. However, I was eventually able to work my way fairly close to them for a few shots. As much as it is a birdwatching paradise, the wide openness of the area around the marsh makes it a bit challenging to close the distance for pictur...

Official Website:tpeakphotos.art Hello, my name is Mike Lee, and I am a landscape and nature photographer based in Janesville, California. Photography has been a passion of mine for many years, and since retiring from my first career in 2018 I've decided to make photographic art that all-too-important next chapter. Through my lens, I aim to share the landscapes, wildlife, and stunning moments that I encounter in Northern California and beyond. I've always had an appreciation for nature, and living in such a beautiful and diverse area has provided me with endless inspiration. From the towering Sierra Nevada mountains to the serene valleys and forests, I find myself constantly in awe of the world around me. My photography is an attempt to...