Gambel's quail

Bosque del Apache NM
Canon 50d
300mm + 1.4x
1/1000 at f/5.0
ISO 640

Tough action to capture Gary. I might go for more of a pano look by taking a little off the left, top, and bottom. And I would try some additional S/H work. Thanks for posting!

Amazing that there is so much wing blur at a 1/1000s. I would try to get more details in the blacks and apply NR on the BG. The bird is too centered for my taste.

Awesome capture, Gary. Fantastic to get a flight shot so close to crossing your path. By nature they tend to run before flying and tend to flush as a last resort and then only heading away fast. Love the blurred primaries. Agree re trying to open up the shadows a bit more.

The dark areas can be lighten a bit to show more details and some levels adjustment would also work fine. The image needs some noise reduction job in the BG and a touch of warming up. I like the action a lot and the blurred wingtips too. Very good job!

Great catch, as these are very skittish birds. A close up flight shot that isn't all tail feathers is a winner. Juan's repost really brings it alive.