Scaled Quail

[david cramer]

This is the most skittish bird in my area. Taken from a blind. I've tried lightening the underside of the tail, but that area is mostly blocked up.

http://davidcramer.smugmug.com/photos/719594836_yCZzK-XL.jpg

D300 with 500mm vr, tripod mount, f/7.1, 1/500, iso 400, ev -0.67

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

beautiful pose,light,bg...details!

[Aidan Briggs]

Lovely light, pose, and BG. A pretty decent perch too. I would have moved to your left for a better light angle.

[Marina Scarr]

This is an absolutely STUNNING bird. The irridescent feathers on its chest are amazing and you've done a great job captivating them. I also think the perch is a winner. I would have tried to put the bird just a tad more to the left of the frame. Since you were in a blind, I imagine you didn't have much room for movement.

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

Beautiful image. Sharpness and lights are very nice.
Framing is not really my style. I would have moved the bird to the left a bit.

Szimi

[Bruce Enns]

I really like this image...beautiful bird, nice bokeh, excellent details and sharpness, exposure spot on and head angle right on. Comp works as posted, but I would also try Szimi's suggestion of moving the bird a bit to the left in the frame. Congrats on an excellent photo!

Cheers!
Bruce

[Daniel Cadieux]

Wow David, good work on this image. I agree with cropping slightly more left of the frame (you can keep the same aspect ratio by trimming a bit at bottom too). The colours look great, and I love the scaling on its plumage (wonder where it got its name??)

[david cramer]

Thanks all. Yes, couldn't move to the left as the blind is small. Plus any little movement and this bird is gone.
I like the crop suggestion.

[Ofer Levy]

WOW ! Fantastic shot!!

[Clement Francis]

David this deserves a standing ovation, a over all winner. I am already clapping here in India

[Kiran Poonacha]

Just loved this, what a bird, great perch, details, light and pose.. BIG congrats...

[ChasMcRae]

I love the way the silver scale feathers gradually blend into the yellow gold feathers below. Also the face turn with tuft adds to the pic. The under-tail "blocking" does not bother me, probably because use to do that with slides in order to not burn out highlights.

[Nagesh Mula]

Hey David, a very beautiful picture and well taken. I liked the shadow here as its giving a three dimension feel, Smooth BKGR and the best are the scales. Congrats!!