Chasing Sandhill Cranes & Discovering Colorado’s Oldest Town
A Birthday Adventure in Southern Colorado
On March 20th, my 52nd trip around the sun, I spent the day exploring new-to-me areas of southern Colorado, photographing the Sandhill Crane migration in Monte Vista, listening to Mexican radio out of Taos and discovering the oldest town in Colorado: San Luis.
San Luis: Colorado’s Oldest Town
Let’s start with San Luis. It’s a fascinating place, feeling much more like a Mexican or New Mexican town than anything in Colorado. It sits along the northern branch of the Old Spanish Trail, a historic trading route dating back to the early 1800s that connects northern New Mexico to California.
Just outside of town is a historic landmark called The Shrine of the Stations, a chapel built into the mountainside and surrounded by bronze statues depicting the crucifixion of Christ. Now if you know me, I’m not exactly a good, practicing Catholic, but I still find this kind of history and symbolism incredibly interesting.
While at the chapel, I met a fella from Aurora who was showing friends and family from India around the area. They stopped in San Luis on their way to Santa Fe. We talked about the spirituality of the San Luis and Upper Rio Grande Valleys, which stretch from central Colorado down through Taos and Santa Fe, and how the region carries a deep, spiritual energy if you have the heart to feel it.
This part of the Southwest always calls me back. Maybe it’s the high desert landscape, the towering 14,000 ft. peaks, the connections to Puebloan traditions, Spanish Catholicism or the more recent influx of artists drawn to its undeniable energy.
After exchanging pleasantries and thanking each other for the conversation, we parted ways. It was one of those unexpected but heartwarming encounters that make a trip even more meaningful.
Photographing the Sandhill Cranes in Monte Vista
The main reason for my trip, though, was to photograph the Sandhill Cranes. Each year, hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrate through the San Luis Valley, stopping in the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge to rest, feed and gather before continuing their journey northward. The sight and sound of these massive birds in motion is nothing short of breathtaking.
Alongside the cranes, the valley is home to Canada Geese and Aleutian Geese, which share the wetlands and grasslands with their migratory visitors. Watching these species coexist in the same fields and flight paths is a reminder of how interconnected migratory patterns are. The sound of the cranes' calls mixed with the geese's honking creates a wild symphony unique to this time of year in the valley.
While I don’t consider myself a wildlife photographer per se - I don’t have the right gear or patience for that matter - I love the challenge. This was my second year photographing the cranes, and while I was better prepared than last year, this kind of work pushes both my gear and my skill to the limit.
Let’s Talk Technique: Capturing Birds in Flight
When it comes to wildlife photography, vision and technique is everything.
A year ago, I had a clear image in my mind - cranes in flight with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as a backdrop. The problem? I didn’t know where to find them! It took me an entire day just to locate their roosting and loafing spots, leaving me with only one morning to get the shot. Bad weather didn’t help, and I walked away with less-than-stellar images.
Fast-forward to 2025. That same vision stayed with me. But this time, I was ready. Knowing exactly when and where to go made all the difference. As a landscape photographer first, I don’t carry the big 600mm+ lenses that serious wildlife shooters use. My setup?
Sony A7R IV
Sony FE 70-300mm (because travel requires me to pack light)
Tamron 35-150mm (for landscapes and evaluating a new filter system from Kase)
Camera Settings for Bird Photography
Let’s assume brilliant golden hour light just before the sun dips below the horizon and bird activity is at it’s peak.
Mode: Manual Exposure
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 300mm
Focus Mode: Continuous with Tracking AF (Critical for birds in flight!)
Optional: 35mm Crop Mode – If you're shooting with a high-megapixel sensor like the Sony A7R IV, consider using the 35mm crop mode for additional reach. This effectively turns a 300mm lens into a 450mm equivalent while still maintaining solid image quality. It’s a great trick for getting closer to the action without carrying a longer lens.
Instead of staring out at a field full of grazing birds, I looked behind me, watching for groups in flight headed towards me. Once focus tracking locked on, I panned along with them, keeping them sharp against the mountain backdrop - finally bringing my vision to life!
The Unexpected Magic Shot
As the sun dipped behind the mountains, the throng of big-lens photographers packed up and left. But a few of us die-hards stuck around. The sky exploded in bright pink over the Sangre de Cristos, and I switched to my Tamron 35-150mm to capture more traditional landscape shots.
Then, at the last possible moment, one final flock of cranes flew right through my frame. Click. Absolute magic.
Final Thoughts
Capturing birds in flight - especially ones this large - takes a mix of quick reflexes, good light and the ability to anticipate movement. It’s a challenge, but one I’ll gladly take on again.
The San Luis Valley continues to surprise me with its history, wildlife and unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s walking the streets of Colorado’s oldest town, witnessing the crane migration or chasing that one perfect shot, it never fails to leave a lasting impression. Naturally, I’ll be back.
Have you photographed the Sandhill Crane migration? Drop a comment or share your experience - I’d love to hear about it!
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Beautiful images. Glad you stayed long enough for that sunset image!
These are incredible, Alan!!!! What a magical backdrop with the mountains in the back. I don’t know much about Colorado, but the fact that it has a town with Mexican-ish architecture/influences is very interesting. But I guess it makes sense if it’s on the way to Santa Fe. Either way, I learned quite a bit reading this!!