Snow dancer: Sharptail

Gallery: AvianPosted April 2, 2010493 views15 comments

I found the Sharptail grouse willing to display even with new, wet snow. The original raw file was underexposed by about 1 1/3, which helped keep my shutter speed up. Processing seemed to pull everything back nicely.

D200, 200-400 @390, ISO 200, F5.6, 1/640, minor crop top and right, NX2 processing.

Your critiques are welcomed!

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on April 2, 2010 at 8:57 PM

That's a pretty neat perspective there Lon.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on April 2, 2010 at 9:19 PM

Cool shot! You must have looked pretty nice to him. Don't think you should wear that coon skin cap ever again!

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on April 2, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Very cool, Lon. I can just see the snow flying as he buzzes through the snow. I've never seen them dancing in snow but it must be eerily quiet compared to the usual stomping on dry ground and grass.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Day on April 2, 2010 at 11:23 PM

Really unique shot showing behavior of a bird I have never seen. Thanks.

Registered on August 5, 2008, 25 Posts, 173 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 2, 2010 at 11:39 PM

Great shot, Lon. The slight blur in the tallest tail plume and the snow kicked up by the feet really give a sense of motion to this image.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 3, 2010 at 12:31 AM

Love the action in this shot Lon! Very sweet....looks like he is coming after you

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on April 3, 2010 at 1:56 AM

I had no idea they'd dance on snow. Really an interesting behavior you've captured. I like the low perspective, the view from the front and the way he has thrown snow up with his feet. Excellent.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 3, 2010 at 5:22 AM

Sweet shot Lon!!! The flying snow puts it over the top for me!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 3, 2010 at 6:48 AM

Reqlly cool pose!
He think he loves you!

Great detail in the feathers and snow too.
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on April 3, 2010 at 1:02 PM

I like everything about this Lon, the setting is interesting, I like the flying snow and the great pose of the grouse. Would not change a thing.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostedo on April 3, 2010 at 1:52 PM

Very very nice Lon and neat to see. The action with the snow is great. I'd probably warm it up a bit, but otherwise just about perfect.

Registered on May 5, 2006, 178 Posts, 2224 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 3, 2010 at 5:46 PM

Like the head-on view and yellow in the bird contrasts nicely against the cool color of the snow.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 3, 2010 at 7:48 PM

A unique image - very interesting and looks good as posted.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 3, 2010 at 8:16 PM

Love the pose. Ah the joys of being able to play with the exposure the way you did.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 20, 2012 at 6:44 AM

Love the action pose/display in this unique image Lon.
Wings extended, tail up, and the top view of the head with its yellow plumage works very well

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments