So. new friend Tom (a fine artist specializing in horses) is interested in illustrating my sandhill crane story. He hasn’t done much in the way of birds, so asked me to search the web for representative crane shots to use as subjects or models. Encouraged by his wife, he also asked me to check with the people behind any of the photos chosen.

So I did. Some of the best photos I found were on a tumblr blog by a fellow named Michael Williams. I wrote to ask permission and he responded:
“Hi Jim. I would be delighted for your friend to use my sandhill crane photos as models for his illustrations. Since the actual photos won't be reproduced there is no need to credit me in any way. Though I will be grateful if you can send a copy of the book. What an honor!”

Since then we have become something like pen pals, and the photo above was shot this morning by him on his morning walk—a vermillion flycatcher. Piecing things together from his blog and correspondence I’m guessing this photo was shot right around Bisbee, Arizona.

Mike tells me that there are a present about 27,000 sandhills currently at Sulfur Springs Valley, which is not all that far from Bisbee.