Gambel's Quail in flight

[Rick Bowers]

Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) – Tucson, Pima County, Arizona, United States – March

To catch sharp images of these guys in flight you need 1/4000^th of a second or better.

50D, 100-400 @ 300mm, 1/4000 sec; f/5.0; ISO 1600 – bird is flying to food. PP - noise reduction on background, slight sharpening on face.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Sweet shot, Rick. Killer pose and light. Nice mottled bg as well.
I'd prefer more room above than at the bottom. Would also crop from the left and possibly add to the right.
Excellent work.

[Doug Brown]

Not an easy shot Rick; congrats! I agree that the composition could be improved by placing the bird slightly lower in the frame, removing some canvas on the left, and adding some on the right.

[Don Lacy]

HI Rick, Sweet pose agree with the others on comp suggestions

[Bill Dix]

First time I've seen a flight image of this species. Well done. Even better with the bird moved slightly down and left, IMO.

[Marina Scarr]

This is an unusual photograph to see. Agree you couple improve the comp, and I'd sharpen the bird a little more. Killer BG.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice flight shot, sharp when it counts.

[vishaljadhav]

Lovely flight shot, the details are nice and the 1/4000 is surely a good choice here to freeze the action
i agree with the above on composition

[Morkel Erasmus]

Great pose and exposure here...I agree on the placement in the frame (not easy in the field but if you leave enough room all around you can crop to taste).