Fashionista!

Gallery: AvianPosted June 18, 201815,444 views8 comments

I can just see the fashion conscious crowd lining up for this trendy new eyebrow design. And this guy got them for free! Willow Ptarmigan taken along the Kougarok Road north of Nome, Alaska. The eyebrows are raised as part of their display. If you've never heard their call, check it out on one of the birding apps-it has to be one of the weirdest bird calls on the continent.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 600 mm, hand held balanced on car window, f/8, 1/640, iso 2000, aperture priority, pattern metering, -1/3 EV. Processed in LR & PS CC. Cropped to a 14.2 MP 4x5. I removed a couple of stray twigs and darkened that snow patch to the right of the bird. Taken at 7:20 am on June 10th.

Your comments and critiques are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on June 18, 2018 at 9:24 PM

This guy shows up well against the gray BG. The diagonal formed from the branches is a nice addition to the comp. You were able to capture some excellent details in the ptarmigan's plumage. Well done.......................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 18, 2018 at 11:52 PM

Nice clear display of this usually tough to spot bird Dennis. Must be time for showing off to the girls. Love those eyebrows.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Minish on June 19, 2018 at 12:07 AM

Very nice Ptarmigan capture, Dennis! Nice light, excellent exposure that maintains the detail and textures in the white feathers, sharp details everywhere and a good composition. Well done!

Registered on February 4, 2006, 625 Posts, 3583 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 19, 2018 at 3:37 AM

A handsome ptarmigan he certainly is.

Great pose in sweet light!

A Beauty Dennis laugh

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on June 19, 2018 at 9:54 AM

Very nice. I like the comp with the negative space on the left. Background works well.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on June 19, 2018 at 10:21 AM

I can almost feel the softness of his plumage. A stately bird that I've never seen here. Thanks for posting.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on June 19, 2018 at 9:27 PM

Excellent shot of Alaska's state bird. You haven't camped in Alaska until you've had one perch on the ridgeline of your tent all night, doing what you charitably describe as a "weird" call. All night. Continuously.

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

Comment posted by Max Waugh on June 21, 2018 at 9:18 AM

Nice shot, Dennis. Perfect composition for this perch and pose. Nice exposure too. Sometimes it's very easy to lose detail in the "eyebrows," but you did well.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments