Red Grouse

[William Dickson]

Canon 1DX
f/4 500mm with 1.4
f/6.3
1/1250
ISO 800

This is another frame from my time with the Red Grouse in Perthshire last week. I got lucky as this guy chose a 'drystane dyke' as a perch. It's usually difficult to get a photograph of a Red grouse showing its legs and feet, as whilst in amongst the heather, their natural habitat, they hardly ever show their legs. A 'drystane dyke' is the scottish name for a 'wall' which is made from rocks from the surrounding area, with no mortar used. It was probably built over 100 years ago.

Will

[Noel Heustis]

Will, I love the fact that you put yourself in really great positions to get "lucky" in the field. Your preparation seems to consistently pay off. I like the nice clean background. Thanks for sharing these grouse images.

[Alex Becker]

Really nice multi toned BG and i like the perch as well. They really do have interesting feet. Detail is well captured and nice colors throughout. I might be tempted to darken the face just a bit. Great look at the eye as well. TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

Will this is a peach of a shot. Love the setting pose and of course his trousers, I would love to get a shot as good as that one well done.
I would be tempted to add a little clarity (8-12) to the bird, I think it makes a significant difference.

[William Dickson]

Thanks Guys. Here is a repost, which I brightened up with curves and also Jons suggestion of clarity to the bird. WDYT...

Will

172411

[Tim Foltz]

Will, beautiful bird and pose, nice details and BG.

-Tim

[Glenn Pure]

Both versions look great Will and I'm struggling to decide which I like best. I like the richness of colour in the background in the OP and probably prefer to tones in the bird on the repost. Maybe combine the two? Either way, this is, indeed, a fantastic shot. The legs and feet are really interesting as well as a rarity to see. Background delightful too. Great work but you've now set yourself a near impossible shot to better!

[William Dickson]

Thanks Tim and Glenn, much appreciated.

Will

[Jonathan Ashton]

Not home Will I will comment again Thursday or Friday

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Will, nice one, albeit that I think Jon would prefer the 'bottle' version :S3:.

I like the perch and background is a 'killer', but perhaps it needs a bit more below? At that distance you were probably about right on the DoF, or even 5.6? Personally I might have lost the LH stone and the faint rock, is it grass that is overlapping the RH rock at the foot? I might be tempted to burn back some of the white on the legs just to get some more tone there, just a wee bit.

TFS
Steve

[William Dickson]

Hi Steve, thanks for that. I'm not sure what this is overlapping. There is lichen on the rock. Being a drystane dyke, as you know, it will have a few things growing on it over time. :S3:

172433

[David Salem]

Beautiful subject, pose and details William. I prefer the re-post for sure. Well done

[Jonathan Ashton]

Hi Will - yup repost good!