Looking forward to getting back to the Sonoran Desert... Nikon Z9, Z 24-70mm S lens at 33mm, f8, ISO100, 1/5 second, -1 exposure compensation

"Hoop Dreams" ~ Taken at a long ago shuttered schoolhouse in Central Kansas a few years ago. Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 60mm (DX crop on), f2.8, ISO100, 1/2500 second

I love it when the wings catch the light... Taken on a beautiful evening at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost last month. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO1600, 1/640 second

Big Bend National Park has been on my mind the past couple of days... This is my favorite photograph I took there, way back in February 2019. Nikon D750, 70-200mm lens at 200mm, f8, ISO100, 1/1000 second, -1 exposure compensation

It's been a couple of days since I posted a sandhill crane pic so... I love the little bits of ice floating on the water, ice diamonds glistening in the evening light. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (Dx crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/800 second

Big Bend National Park in Texas, a beautiful place I never quite captured to my satisfaction. But it's been a few years so maybe I need to take another crack at it... Nikon D750, 70-200mm lens at 200mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/2000 second

Average photo of an awesome place taken years ago, Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park. I definitely need to go back now that I have a few more years of photography under my belt since then. Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 70mm(Dx crop on), f8, ISO100, 1/320 second

I first photographed this building back in September 2016 (this photo is from that visit). I've returned several times over the years whenever I'm in the area, and each time it looks a bit different. Looking forward to checking it out once again in a couple of weeks.

Some scenes are made for black and white images... Taken in the middle of somewhere in Utah seemingly another lifetime ago... Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 38mm, f8, ISO100, 1/400 second, +1 exposure compensation

Happy Valentine's Day to those who celebrate :) Taken while walking around Great Sands Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado a few years back. Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 30mm, f11, ISO100, 1/160 second

I wonder if sandhill cranes know what drafting is? :) Taken on a beautiful winter morning at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost last month. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/2500 second

"It's Gonna Be A Hot One" ~ One of the things I love about Monument Valley is even bald sky mornings can be pretty dramatic. Nikon Z9, Z 24-70mm S lens at 51mm, f11, ISO100, 1/50 second

When we moved to New Mexico in 2013 I had no idea parts of it would look like this. Since autumn is my favorite time of year that worked out quite nicely. :) Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 160mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/2000 second

Looking forward to swinging by the Very Large Array in the near future... Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 65mm, f8, ISO100, 1/800 second, B&W conversion done with Nik Collection Silver Efex Pro

I'm thinking that spending some time in northern Arizona later this year may have to happen... Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 24mm, f11, ISO100, 1/400 second

Looking forward to going back to one of my favorite places this summer, Monument Valley. Nikon Z9, Z 24-70mm S lens at 51mm, f11, ISO100, 1/30 second

Sometimes, while you're killing time, you spend a little time making abstract images... Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm, f6.3, ISO100, 1/200 second

I love the reflections and how the little pieces of ice floating in water sparkle in the morning light... Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/160 second

The Setup & The Shot ~ Photographing sandhill cranes at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost on a cold winter morning last month. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 370mm(Dx crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/500 second

Last week I shared a post about an evening at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost, this one is about the following morning at the same spot. kevinschaffer.wordpress.com/2026/02/04/m...

"And we have liftoff" ~ Not gonna lie, I love how my Nikon Z9 - at 20 frames a second - captures every detail when photographing birds taking off and landing. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm, f6.3, ISO3200, 1/3200 second

Soaking up the morning sun... A sandhill crane at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost watches the sun rise on a cold winter morning. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/2500 second

Beep Beep! This roadrunner actually stood still for a brief moment, giving me a chance to take a few quick snaps before it ran off into the nearby brush. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm, f6.3, ISO100, 1/150 second

Coming in for a landing on a pond sparkling with ice diamonds... Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/500 second

Spotted while wandering around Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. I like to take my time and drive really slow there, you never know what you'll see. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO100, 1/640 second

While waiting for the sandhill cranes to fly out last Wednesday morning at Bosque del Apache I killed some time playing around with making some abstract images. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 370mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/1250 second

One of my favorite images from last week's visit to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm, f6.3, ISO3200, 1/4000 second

I went wandering for a couple of days last, so of course I threw a few photos and words together about the trip. Follow the link to check it out. Thanks! kevinschaffer.wordpress.com/2026/01/28/e...

One of things I love about slowly driving around Bosque del Apache is you never know what you'll see. I had to stop and take a few pics of this fuzzy guy (or gal) since they were kind enough to stand still for a moment.

"Photo Finish" ~ Taken last week on a beautiful winter evening at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO1600, 1/500 second

Not a great photo but I finally managed to get some glass on a Great Blue Heron while wandering around Bosque del Apache last week. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 560mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO100, 1/160 second

While waiting for the sandhill cranes to fly in Tuesday evening I killed some time playing around with making some abstract images. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm lens at 600mm, f6.3, ISO100, 1/1600 second

One of my favorite things to photograph are sandhill cranes landing (and taking off). This was taken this past Tuesday evening at Bosque del Apache's Wetland Roost. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/800 second

A group of sandhill cranes glide across the evening sky at Bosque del Apache... I'm always amazed at how close birds can fly together without bumping into each other. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/1000 second

Here's another one from my quick trip to Bosque del Apache this week, two sandhill cranes coming in for the night at the Wetland Roost. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO1600, 1/640 second

Quick trip to Bosque del Apache to chase the sandhill cranes. Took this last night at the Wetland Roost during sunset. Nikon Z9, Sigma 150-600 Contemporary lens at 600mm (DX crop on), f6.3, ISO3200, 1/200 second, +1 exposure compensation

Peaceful evening, floating down the Colorado River outside of Moab. Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 200mm (DX crop on), f2.8, ISO800, 1/2000 second

Taken almost ten years ago, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos. Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 32mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/800 second, +2 exposure compensation

Simple click, but I couldn't pass up the chance to take a few snaps of this perfect reflection while exploring around Pagosa Springs, Colorado this past October. Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 200mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/2500 second

Looking forward to doing some of this next week... Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 200mm (DX crop on), f2.8, ISO100, 1/4000 second

Twice since leaving Alaska in 2013 I've spotted a bear (not counting those in national parks) while out wandering and this is the closest I've gotten to getting a photo of one. Maybe had eyes on it for twenty seconds before it disappeared into the woods.

The always fascinating blackbird murmuration, I love watching the ebb and flow of the flock in the sky. Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 200mm (DX crop on), f2.8, ISO100, 1/200 second

Simple click of a door with a little character, taken while wandering the streets of Mesilla, New Mexico. Nikon Z9, Z 24-70mm S lens at 29mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/500 second

Moon rising over Mitchell Mesa in Monument Valley on a cold, clear winter evening. Nikon Z9, Z 24-70mm S lens at 45mm, f11, ISO100, 1/30 second

Taken while wandering in Colorado this past October. Love that moody sky. Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 105mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/2500 second

The endless expanse of White Sands National Park is calling my name... Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 62mm, f8, ISO100, 1/160 second, +1 exposure compensation

I love the abstract nature of slot canyons, patterns in sandstone carved over time. This was taken while exploring in Canyon X on Navajo Nation in Arizona. Nikon D750, 14-24mm lens at 24mm, f11, ISO100, 2.5 seconds, -2 exposure compensation

Winter storm clearing, just outside of Canyonlands National Park in Utah on a beautiful January afternoon. Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 35mm, f2.8, ISO100, 1/4000 second

Simple click of a favorite subject, autumn aspens. Taken while wandering in southern Colorado this past October. Nikon Z9, Z 70-200mm S lens at 200mm (DX crop on), f11, ISO100, 1/80 second

Happy (belated) Birthday to New Mexico, which became the 47th State in the U.S. back in January 6, 1912. Nikon D750, 24-70mm lens at 70mm, f11, ISO100, 1/40 second