Dancing Sharptail 2

Gallery: AvianPosted April 7, 2011240 views16 comments

It took a few days, but I got another chance to photograph the Sharptail Grouse dancing. This morning we had an inch of fresh snow.
D90, 300f4, iso 320, f7.1, 1/400, tripod, natural light.
Backyard blind near feeders.
I like the view of the airsac and the flying snow.
Comments and critiques much appreciated.

Comments

16 comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on April 7, 2011 at 2:36 PM

Marvelous. The purple and orange markings really make this pop. Love the action here with the downturned wings. Great techs as well, Dan.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Karcz on April 7, 2011 at 5:39 PM

Love the colors and action of the bird with the snow! Good capture!

Registered on November 8, 2009, 25 Posts, 43 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on April 7, 2011 at 6:01 PM

Nice behavior image. Like the wings and the little bit of snow flying underneath.

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

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on April 7, 2011 at 6:14 PM

Another great sharpie image, Dan. I'm not sure which I like better, but I'm leaning toward this one because the bg seems a bit less intrusive.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 7, 2011 at 8:00 PM

Great shot with nice action, pose, and sharpness. I also like the hints of 2 colors with the eyes and the air sac. Very well done! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on April 7, 2011 at 9:30 PM

I love these Grouse shot of yours Dan! Those small patches of orange and purple colours set against the more subtle colours of the rest of it are always appealing, but there's something in the way you manage to capture the pose and freeze the action from a wonderfully low angle that really bring these pictures to life :^)

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on April 7, 2011 at 9:44 PM

Great action, great pose, great colors, great details, great shot - love it.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 7, 2011 at 9:45 PM

Another great Grouse image, Dan. I love the flying snow. The pose you have captured is great, showing off the great colors in the head and a great wingspread, sharp tip to tip.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 7, 2011 at 9:56 PM

Love the action in this one Dan. I like the flying snow and the colors around the neck and eyes really pop with the snowy BG.

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

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on April 7, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Wonderful image, Dan! Tremendous pose with the outstretched wings and the flying snow is tops. The orange and violet really stand out. Nice exposure tech.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 7, 2011 at 10:56 PM

Dan,
Better than the first one. Really like the action in this. Incedible details and spot on exposure.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 8, 2011 at 3:56 AM

Great courtship display, the flying snow is a dramic plus, another sweet sharpie Dan. Hope you get some more opportuniteis.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 9, 2011 at 4:44 AM

Great action and sharpness - really impressive Dan. Slight concern that it appears a little flat on my monitor - there appears to be hardly any shadow on the snow even though its sunny

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 9, 2011 at 10:03 PM

Even better than the last! A better comp in this one, gotta love that flying snow!

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on April 10, 2011 at 1:18 PM

That is so cool . I really loke the pose and upright tail.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 12, 2011 at 10:43 AM

Really a great shot Dan. Love the action with the snow flying. Great angle, bird position, and comp. Really nice!

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