This is dedication

Brigitte, my wife,  is a true professional photographer with a passion for birds, and Sandhill Cranes is one of her birds of choice. Her dedication, and patience is amazing....I don't have it,  and few people do.

What does it take for an award winning shot?

We spend one or two days previewing the area looking for nesting pairs of birds; looking at the accessability, and how the light will be in the morning.  When she is ready for the shoot we get up two hours before sunrise and drive to the predetermined site.   Operating in the dark, Brigitte quietly moves into position often climbing fences, rocks, crossing creeks, and hiking distances while packing in all of her heavy gear.........  On this particular day she fell and sprained her ankle.

Keep in mind that this picture was made at the end of May in the hi Sierras,  so it was about 37 degrees.
Brigitte laid still in a Camo Blind for about 3-4 hours....Freezing

What was I doing?  I was snoozing in the nice was vehicle.