I spent last week looking for Sooty Grouse displaying at Mt Rainier Washington. They called but not one did a full tail spread dance for me. It must be a little late in the season. A couple of males were willing to let me get close for some head shots.
Nikon D3S, 200-400 f4 lens at 400mm
ISO 800, F9, 1/400 sec
Manual Exposure
07-07-2012, 07:21 PM
Melissa Groo
Laurie, what an incredible image! and extraordinary creature! I haven't seen this before. Such a wonderful portrait you've made! I love the IQ, the background, the level of detail, and your composition. Can't think of anything I would change. Just stunning. Can't stop looking at it.
07-07-2012, 07:35 PM
dankearl
Unbelievably cool photo and a first for me also.
Where on Mt Rainier?
Wild behavior shot, I did not even know grouse would be in an alpine region like Rainier?
Excellent.
07-07-2012, 07:43 PM
laurie golden
Dan,
There are usually a few on the road to Paradise - close to the top. And they mostly stay close to the road because that is the only place without snow. A week earlier and they would have been more active.
07-07-2012, 08:06 PM
PhilCook
Just wonderful !....what a weird looking bird ! nothing to change on this fine shot
07-07-2012, 09:55 PM
Jack Breakfast
What's not to love? All the best, Laurie...you've done it again! The bizarro pulchritude of this crude beast is making me go crazy with badness! I am in love!!
07-08-2012, 02:37 AM
christopher galeski
very nice image,sharp good details,well done.
07-08-2012, 02:39 AM
arash_hazeghi
wow what an interesting bird. great details and light
07-08-2012, 06:50 AM
Joe Senzatimore
Absolutly stunning!!!! Just a bit too much canvas on the right side.
07-08-2012, 07:37 AM
Ofer Levy
Superb IQ and such an interesting head shot. I never do or recommend a square crop but in here I see no alternative as the right half of the frame should go IMHO.
EDIT: got back to this lovely image and I think the composition can stay as it is as the tight square alternative is not great anyhow...:w3
07-08-2012, 09:08 AM
Rachel Hollander
Laurie - this is both interesting and great! Excellent detail!
TFS,
Rachel
07-08-2012, 09:36 AM
Doug Brown
Love this frame Laurie! Cool bird, perfect head angle, and excellent detail.
07-08-2012, 10:08 AM
Grace Scalzo
Laurie, You have created a beautiful and interesting image. Great subject, detail, nice light.
07-08-2012, 03:04 PM
Stu Bowie
Hi Laurie, you have captured excellent detail and colours here, and with good eye contact. Sharp where it counts, and I do like the BG. A fine image.
07-08-2012, 07:43 PM
Robert Holguin
Beautiful shot. Excellent comp, very nice background, excellent details, and very nice lihgt.
Well done.
07-08-2012, 08:26 PM
Mike McCarthy
Quite a nice display of texture & color. Nice portrait.
07-08-2012, 10:20 PM
laurie golden
Thank you all for your comments. I must admit that I have photographed this bird several times over the last few years - that helps a lot in understanding his behavior and how to shoot him and the light was right for this shot this time where mostly it as been drab and rainy (or sleet and snow) on Mt Rainier.
07-09-2012, 08:25 AM
Jim Crosswell
Great image Laurie! I like the details, sharpness, lighting and BG.
07-09-2012, 08:34 AM
Daniel Cadieux
Wow, this is wonderful!! Great techs, colours, comp, behaviour. You could opt to remove the small strand in front of the red eyebrow, but certainly not a deal breaker. Congrats on this very beautiful image!!