And the Sharptails Danced
Apr 9, 2021 13:56:14 #
Last night we were invited out to see the Sharptail Grouse do their Spring mating dance. This involved getting up at zero dark thirty, taking care of the dogs' needs, loading the gear and driving. We got there a little later than would have been ideal, the sun had just come up. These are popular game birds, and wonderful to watch, so our friends hold this opportunity close. I brought several cameras, but ended up with the usual combination, D7200 and AF S Nikkor 200-500 5.6 E ED. I did not need the telextender since as long as you stay in a vehicle, you can be quite close, though the available angles are challenging, as is the early light. i took a lot more photos than is my usual habit. Here are a few.
Apr 9, 2021 14:09:15 #
Apr 9, 2021 14:09:42 #
quixdraw wrote:
Last night we were invited out to see the Sharptai... (show quote)
You did well with your photographs. Photos are nice and sharp and the birds are well defined. Well done.
Dennis
Apr 9, 2021 14:31:03 #
Apr 9, 2021 14:31:24 #
dennis2146 wrote:
You did well with your photographs. Photos are nice and sharp and the birds are well defined. Well done.
Dennis
Dennis
Thanks very much!
Apr 9, 2021 14:33:24 #
Apr 9, 2021 14:41:44 #
Apr 9, 2021 14:45:52 #
Very nice work on these.
--Bob
--Bob
quixdraw wrote:
Last night we were invited out to see the Sharptai... (show quote)
Apr 9, 2021 14:53:04 #
They are a beautiful bird and these are great shots of their performance. Must have been a great show!
Apr 9, 2021 15:09:20 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
They are a beautiful bird and these are great shots of their performance. Must have been a great show!
Yes, Thank you. Extraordinary show. The most photos I've taken of a single subject in one session in memory. I'll probably post some more another time. Fascinating to me is to recognize aspects of their movement incorporated in Native American Dance.
Apr 9, 2021 16:57:23 #
couch coyote
Loc: northern Illinois
What fascinating behavior, and something most of us don't get to see. The low light makes beautiful rim lighting. Great job, thanks for sharing (and getting up early)!
Apr 9, 2021 17:15:14 #
UTMike wrote:
Great action set, QD!
Thanks! Lots of action, if I get another chance, I'll have to consider shooting Shutter rather than Aperture. They can Move!
Apr 9, 2021 17:15:32 #
Apr 9, 2021 17:17:26 #
couch coyote wrote:
What fascinating behavior, and something most of us don't get to see. The low light makes beautiful rim lighting. Great job, thanks for sharing (and getting up early)!
Absolutely! Have been living out here for nearing a decade and a half, and have only even seen the birds twice before. Thanks for looking & commenting!
Apr 9, 2021 17:32:10 #
Wow, QD. Very nice! I got some Sage Grouse in eastern Oregon at o-dark thirty but didn't own the proper gear needed at the time. I've been planning to go back for another try ever since. Yours are great!!
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