Right on cue cranes pose for photographers near Monte Vista during the 35th Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival, which continues through tomorrow with tours, talks and shows. Visit mvcranefest.org or montevistachamber.org./Photos by Chelsea McNerney-Martinez

Wildlife photographer Stu Smith from Aurora enjoys his first Monte Vista Crane Festival. Smith came to Monte Vista to help his friends Audrey Benedict, who wrote “The Naturalist Guide to the Southern Rockies” and Wendy Shattil who wrote “Valley of the Dunes.”

Ski Hi Complex in Monte Vista hosts various booths from artwork to education during the crane festival this weekend. Hours for the craft/nature fair are 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. today and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday.