Sandhill cranes, Creamer's Field, Fairbanks

Sandhill Cranes take flight on a thunderstorm weather front, Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge, Fairbanks, Alaska.
Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L IS, 1/640 sec @ f/5.0, ISO 400

Saturday night in Fairbanks (8PM) a dark and ominous cloud formed in the skies behind Creamer's field. I was watching the Sandhill cranes gathered in groups on the ground feeding and making their distinct calls. As the storm grew closer, the winds picked up and the birds began squawking louder and more frequently and jumping up and down. They began to take flight in small groups, taking advantage of the increasing winds. I was able to grab a few frames of them front lit by the sun juxtaposed against the nearly black clouds in the distance. Soon following the torrents of rain came!