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California Quail
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California Quail

by Neil Rossmiller

Gallery: AvianPosted January 20, 2012412 views5 comments
Hello everyone.
Been awhile since I've posted here, but I've enjoyed all the stunning images on NPN during my lurking absence.

We have a covey of these guys that have visited our feeders over the last year. Watching as a pair raised a brood to adulthood with about 80% survival rate. The young birds are no longer distinguishable from the parents, at least by me, and total 10 birds. Fascinating behavior to observe.

I'm working with some new monitors and gear and would love to hear some critical feedback.

Canon 50D, 400 2.8 /w 1.4 ext. ISO 200, 1/400 @ f9 cropped for comp and processed using LR3.

Neil

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by keith mitchell on January 20, 2012 at 4:12 PM
Hi Neil.
The biggest problem i have is the way the branch seems to come out of the bird and does pull my eye,having said that the bird and the snowy bg look very good.

Keith :smile:
Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments
Comment posted by Carol Nichols on January 20, 2012 at 4:31 PM
Neil, I agree with Keith about the branch, but there is a lot to like about this image as well. The bird's feathers are beautiful, the image is very sharp and the exposure allows us to see so much detail in the foreground snow.
Registered on November 7, 2007, 161 Posts, 1420 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 20, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Welcome back Neil. I like the snowy setting and you got a great look at that top-knot. The bird is sharp and your snow exposure looks good. I do wish for the same light on the face as is on the rump.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 20, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Nice to have you back. Great richness of color and detail in the bird. The position of the branch is unfortunate, but does not detract from the loveliness of the bird.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Hi Neil :wavey: If you caught the bird one step before the branch, , it would have been even better :eek: Love the color and detail, great winter shot :jump:
Albert Darmo
Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments