Theme - Red Grouse

[William Dickson]

Canon 1DX
f/4 500mm with 1.4
f/5.6
1/800
ISO 1600

I saw this one perched on the rock as I was driving through the Glen. The roadway was higher than where the bird was perched, and wouldn't have given me a good POV. Instead of taking a shot from the open window of my vehicle, I took the decision to drive past and park up. I left the vehicle, got down low in amongst the heather, and crept towards the bird, and got myself in a position, which showed a decent BG. The bird never saw me and I managed to get a few shots off before he flew off.

Will

[John Mack]

Very nice. Like the foreground flowers and how the match the background colors. Nice detail on the bird.

[Isaac Grant]

That is one great looking bird. Details look very nice and it looks great against that background. Are the colors accurate? The grasses in the foreground and background look a bit too pastel to me. Also looks like the background could use a bit more NR.

[Allen Sparks]

Hi William,
I think this is very well done. Nicely composed with an intriguing but not competing BG. Nice pose from the bird also.
Allen

[annmpacheco]

I love this Will, everything about it. Big fan of grouse, and the foreground and BG is exquisite. The eye locks me when I view this again and again! Wall hangar for me, well for you!

[David Salem]

This looks great William. The details, colors, BG and flowers look fantastic. I agree with Ann, this is a wall hanger. Well done

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

For me the BG looks perfect Will. I would, however, carefully apply a little of NR to the dark feathers on the chest/belly and the tail. I can see a fair bit of noise in there "old" mate!

What a freaking awesome picture Will!
Agree about a wall print. Would look great in my room. :)

TFS

[Jonathan Ashton]

Will that's a cracker love the pose the rock the flowers and the background, that is a heck of a good image. Hoping to get black grouse in February and maybe red grouse in March, if any as good as this I will be well pleased.

[Mike Poole]

A real beauty this one Will, great colours, both on the bird and the BG, and a great shooting angle

Mike

[William Dickson]

Thanks for all the comments and advice guys. Much appreciated.

Will