Your Bio

Welcome to the photography website of Travis Novitsky! Thank you for taking the time to visit and browse the galleries. This website features images from my home area of Grand Portage, Minnesota but also has many images from other areas as I expand my travels.

Click here to read my "web log" and see images from my latest photographic adventures.

The 2007 Grand Portage Wall Calendar featuring my photographs is available at my CafePress.com store: Click here to order!

Featured Galleries

Newest Work : This gallery features my most recent images which have generally been taken over the past month or so.  Enjoy!

Newest Work

This gallery features my most recent images which have generally been ...

Updated: Jul 03, 2008 12:20pm PST

Nebraska Cranes : March 2008:  I spent 4 days photographing Sandhill Cranes (and a few other birds!) along the Platte River in Nebraska.  Each year, the Platte River between Grand Island and Kearney plays host to the largest gathering of Sandhill Cranes in the world.  It is estimated that approximately 500,000 cranes make a "pit stop" on the Platte River to rest and refuel before continuing their annual migration north for the summer.  

This small stretch of the river is critical habitat needed by the cranes because of its shallow depth, multitude of sandbars which provide safe roosting at night and plentiful food via countless nearby farm fields.  During the day, the cranes disperse into the surrounding farm fields to feed on waste grains and any other food they may find.  Each evening, the cranes start to make their way back to the river.  They roost for the night along the river on the sandbars, which provide needed protection from predators.  At sunrise the next morning, they disperse once again to feed for the day.  

The cranes spend about a month resting and feeding along the Platte, generally from early March to early April, then continue on their way north.  Mid-march is generally considered to be the peak week for the birds, which is when I was there.  I was told by staff at the Rowe Sanctuary near Kearney (www.rowesanctuary.org) that there were approximately 300,000 cranes in the area during my visit.  This gathering on the Platte is one of nature's great wonders and if you have the chance to experience it, you will never forget it.  

I also shot some video clips of the birds, which can be viewed by clicking on this link:  Nebraska Cranes - Videos

Nebraska Cranes

March 2008: I spent 4 days photographing Sandhill Cranes (and a few o ...

Updated: May 04, 2008 4:09am PST

Photo Journal : Want a little more insight on how I get my images?  Check out my photo journal which allows you (in a way) to tag along with me on my photo outings.

Photo Journal

Want a little more insight on how I get my images? Check out my photo ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2008 12:15pm PST

Misc. Videos : A collection of various short video clips taken on my photographic excursions.  A high-speed internet connection is recommended to view the videos.  Once you click on one of the images below, the player will open automatically (you will need to have Quicktime installed on your computer in order to view the videos).  To go back to the thumbnail view of the videos, click on the "Misc. Videos" link above this paragraph.

Misc. Videos

A collection of various short video clips taken on my photographic exc ...

Updated: Jun 19, 2008 10:00pm PST

Gallery Categories

Portfolio

2 galleries with 387 photos

Updated: May 27, 2008 11:49pm CDT

Grand Portage

5 galleries with 112 photos

Updated: Dec 13, 2007 3:21am CDT

Lake Superior

4 galleries with 119 photos

Updated: Jan 10, 2008 2:08pm CDT

Animals

6 galleries with 241 photos

Updated: May 04, 2008 6:09am CDT

Minnesota

10 galleries with 100 photos

Updated: Feb 04, 2008 6:47am CDT

Beyond Minnesota

18 galleries with 116 photos

Updated: Jan 26, 2008 1:26am CDT

Details

4 galleries with 85 photos

Updated: Jan 25, 2008 1:32am CDT

After Dark

6 galleries with 69 photos

Updated: Feb 04, 2008 6:43am CDT

Fall Color

2 galleries with 83 photos

Updated: Dec 15, 2007 1:16am CDT

Video Clips

3 galleries with 83 photos

Updated: Jun 20, 2008 12:00am CDT

Calendars

3 galleries with 39 photos

Updated: Dec 19, 2007 11:03am CDT

Customer Corner

10 galleries with 90 photos

Updated: Nov 27, 2007 3:31am CDT

ALL IMAGES © TRAVIS NOVITSKY