Chukar

Gallery: AvianPosted September 1, 2010220 views27 comments

Another Chukar from Antelope Island. The bright rock perch is Tintic Quartzite which is very common on the northern third of the island. May be a bit tight for some but I had no more room on top or bottom. There's a faint, almost vertical line of color change in the background under the belly which is natural and was in the RAW file so I let it be.

7D, 1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 4/24/10, cropped to 85% of original image, reduced the brights on the rock perch, sharpened, no other processing or adjustments, natural light

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on September 1, 2010 at 7:15 PM

The sharpness is great, love the eye and silky BG. Although the angle isn't ideal to the sun, I like the shadow look and the head angle works well.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on September 1, 2010 at 7:28 PM

I echo Bryan about the sun direction, but IMHO it still works beautifully. I like the details and pose. all in all a very impressive image Ron.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on September 1, 2010 at 7:32 PM

Ron, IMHO the sun's angle and the softly lit back and side head area are Purr-fect! I love the captured detail of the plumage as seen in the larger version and the great comp, all supported by the complimentary OOF BG. Very well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on September 1, 2010 at 8:12 PM

Beautiful image quality Ron. I like the sharp details and the pose.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 1, 2010 at 8:23 PM

Ron,
Perfect amount of head turn. Larger image shows exceptional feather detail as well as catch light in the eye and a sharp beak. The background perfectly compliments the colors in the bird. By the way Ron, Super dooper congrats on the cover image. Phenominal shot. You must be over the moon. All your shots in the series were exceptional. Well deserved.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 1, 2010 at 8:27 PM

A perfect pose, with an aura of dignity. No nits.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 1, 2010 at 8:33 PM

A fine image as posted. Very nice detail. Some day I'll get to see one.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on September 1, 2010 at 8:39 PM

beautiful, Ron. I like the angle of the light here, the pose, sharpness, and bg.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 1, 2010 at 8:53 PM

The definition of tack sharp Ron. Also shows what near perfect exposure can bring out as far a dynamic range goes. A wonderful BG and nice anchor to the image with the rock. I like how the light angle works to highlight the head and give depth to the body. Might as well be looking at this bird with my own eyes. Very well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on September 1, 2010 at 9:33 PM

Hi Ron,
I much prefer this one over the other post. Details are much better. The directional lighting is nice.

Ronnie G.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on September 1, 2010 at 9:45 PM

Fantastic detail in the feathers and super sharp. Like the pose with that slight head turn and the light on it and a nice bg too.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Webster on September 1, 2010 at 10:26 PM

Greetings, Ron...How hard could it be to run down a one-legged Chukar?

Everything about this image is fine, Ron. To be really nit-picky maybe a little more light on the breast but that's just me being picky, picky, picky. This is an image to be proud of.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 73 Posts, 644 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 1, 2010 at 10:40 PM

I like this much much more than the first one that you had posted. Not centered, great exposure and excellent detail

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 1, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Very nice light on this one, Ron. I like the slight mottling to the bg.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on September 1, 2010 at 11:24 PM

I like the vivid reds on the beak and eyes as well as the catch light you've captured from the slightly turned head. The bird shows well against the BG. Very nice image Ron.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on September 2, 2010 at 12:16 AM

Wonderful detail!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on September 2, 2010 at 12:20 AM

Maybe a hair tight, but not much. I like the subtle shadows and side lighting especially on the head. Great stuff!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on September 2, 2010 at 3:17 AM

Superb! Great pose and impressive detail, Ron.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on September 2, 2010 at 3:37 AM

Excellent!

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 2, 2010 at 6:49 AM

This is wonderful Ron. I know how much of a challenge it can be to show this amount of feather detail in the Chukar's very soft & downy plumage. The pose is great and I like how the light gives a 3D effect. Beautiful view of the eye and remarkable clarity of the iris. Background is lovely too

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on September 2, 2010 at 7:20 AM

Wonderful detail and colour Ron

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 2, 2010 at 11:55 AM

One of the best Chukar images I have seen. I like the one leg pose and that you can see the color of their eyes (I have never noticed that before). Well done, the larger image was a pleasure to view.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 2, 2010 at 6:28 PM

The head is well lit and the Chukar gave you some great eye contact here Ron, sweet bg too.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 2, 2010 at 8:35 PM

Very nice all around Ron..
I especially like the birds distinctive markings and that red eye ring/beak grabs ya!

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

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on September 2, 2010 at 9:42 PM

getting the exposure right at the time of the capture is what you do so well. Wonderful capture, excellent techs, wow

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on September 2, 2010 at 9:45 PM

Hi Ron,

I am late to the party on this one. Glad I did not miss it! The large image shows wonderful and beautiful detail in the plumage. The rich red beak and eye just explodes. Love it.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on September 3, 2010 at 9:38 PM

Wonderful light and detail in this lovely bird. Someone brought me a bag of "dressed" chukars to cook last year. I had no idea how lovely they were in life. (PS. I didn't eat them, but one of my employees did

)
I certainly think photographing them is better.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments