California Quail

EOS-1D Mk III, 500mm f/4 + 2xII, 1/250, f/8, ISO 800
Manual exposure using incident meter
Manual Flash set for -2 Fill Flash with Better Beamer
About 75% of Full Frame

Removed a few stray branches attempting to make it a bit less busy but still
environmental. Might still be too busy, though? What do you think?

Photographed last week in Burns, Oregon from car using BLUBB.

Looking forward to your comments and critiques !

Bird looks real nice MIke !!! Don't think you could do much about the branches. In images like these sometimes I try showing more of the tree and having it in focus. As presented would crop some from the right !!! Love that bird !!!

Great find and pose. It does look a bit busy, I like Al's suggestion to crop some off the right.