Sharptail Grouse dancing

Gallery: AvianPosted April 3, 2011205 views21 comments

Sharptail grouse are starting to dance on their traditional leks in Montana. Captured this image after an inch of fresh snow this morning.
A lek was not disturbed. Grouse have been coming to my bird feeders this winter, and this male took the gathering of females as a chance to show off.
D90, 300f4, f5.0, iso400, 1/200, blind near backyard feeders, tripod, natural light-overcast, snowing, early morning.
Comments and critiques appreciated.

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 3, 2011 at 8:26 PM

Great shot! I really like how the orange above the eyes stands out. I suspect that the soft light helps that a lot. The flying snow is a terrific addition.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on April 3, 2011 at 8:40 PM

NIce and sharp with beautiful colors on the head and the exposure on the snow is pretty good. That's a nice backyard you have!

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

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on April 3, 2011 at 8:42 PM

Wow

super shot. Your timing must have been nigh on perfect to get the snow as it is at 1/200th. great job

I like everything about it.

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 3, 2011 at 9:03 PM

Terrific action shot. I love the head-on view and the flying snow by the foot.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 3, 2011 at 9:12 PM

Dynamic stop action & POV with all the important parts in sharp focus.
Love the snow it's kickin' up beneath and those orange patches above the eyes - They take your eye right to the center of the action.
Well done Dan!

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 3, 2011 at 9:19 PM

Sweet action shot, Dan. The flying snow is great. Nice job with the exposure, I see plenty of detail in the snow and the Grouse. I like the head turn giving us a look at one eye. Very nice image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on April 3, 2011 at 9:20 PM

Love this image. Nice action and orange eyebrows to boot. The kicking and splash of the snow is great.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on April 3, 2011 at 9:25 PM

What a terrific shot Dan! I love the way the tail and wing tips are slightly blurred, really giving the sense of the subject in mid-dance. The sharp detail in everything on the head and body is spot on and the colours are beautiful. The low angle and flying snow also lends a lot to an already wonderful image. Very well done indeed :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on April 3, 2011 at 10:19 PM

sweet shot, Dan. great pose and nice and sharp on the head and body, and the motion blur in the wings and tail conveys the action. not a bad yard bird!

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on April 3, 2011 at 11:35 PM

I really like this image. The color and action is great. The bird really stands out against the snow. The blur in the tail and and wings accentuates the movement.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 4, 2011 at 2:19 AM

Excellent action! The flying snow, low angle, orange eyebrows, and intent look are all just great.
Well done!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on April 4, 2011 at 5:14 AM

Superb shot Dan, love the sharp details and the slight bit of movement here combined with the colours!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Phillip Tomkinson on April 4, 2011 at 5:27 AM

Hi Dan a fine image.

Phil.

Registered on July 14, 2005, 194 Posts, 427 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 4, 2011 at 12:49 PM

Nice action. Like the snow and the little bit of movement in the tail.

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

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on April 4, 2011 at 3:48 PM

Very cool, Dan. Love the flying snow and slight head turn. I can just imagine how fun it was to see one of these little wind up toys buzzing about in the snow.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 4, 2011 at 4:52 PM

Excellent, Dan. Nice feeder birds you have! I like the motion blur in the tail.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on April 4, 2011 at 8:06 PM

Love it Dan! The action is great and I'm amazed at the sharpness at that SS. The kicked up snow and diffuse shadow under the bird add a lot IMO. Great capture.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 5, 2011 at 3:08 AM

Great action and wonderful fine detail Dan - well done

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 5, 2011 at 12:12 PM

Great low angle Dan. Real nice

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 5, 2011 at 1:59 PM

Super action with him kicking the snow, great job on a tough exposure too. Wonderful to have these guys at your feeders!

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 6, 2011 at 1:48 AM

Perhaps you have the workings for a new lekking spot. Awesome Photo Dan

Ken Archer

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