The other day (unexpected), gave me the opportunity to visit one of my favourite locations for this species, away from all the well known haunts, but sadly ideal for those whose who capture it, 'for the pot'! Great to see they were in abundance and not shy at all, with good numbers to boot. The heather has lost part of it wonderful charm in terms of colour, but the light was awesome. The management of the environment has been well look after and the abundance of Grouse is a testament to the maintenance.
This was a feeding Red Grouse eating the seed.
Thanks for either viewing or commenting on the previous image guys.
Steve
Subject: Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) in heather
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 with 2x MKIII HH
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/9 ISO1600
Original format: Portrait, very slight crop from the top, FF on width
Processed: LRCC & PS CC2015
Nice to be able to get close to these, especially in this type of light - all too often its a cropped shot from too high a viewpoint.
The angle of this is spot on, as well as the 3-d effect from the heather, and the details on this lovely lady are exquisite - hard to believe this IQ is available now with converters!
Love this one Steve. Tremendous colours, you can almost smell the heather. Lovely detail on the bird, finished of with a lovely BG. Wished it had been a cock bird and showing some red I noticed the heather was on its way out last weekend when I was at the Glen. After seeing this, makes me want to go back NOW
Hi Mike, a little patience and understanding goes a long way, but sometimes having 'Lady luck' on your side is helpful. In all honesty I have spent many a trip with nothing in the bag, albeit a 40 minute drive to the site. But it's all about investing the time.
With the new lenses (price does not reflect the upgrade IMHO, as they use some of the old parts), however the new extenders are better coupled with the new lenses. For me, the 2 x MKIII has the biggest/more noticeable difference and I have no hesitancy in using it, as the old versions are pants .
Hi Will, in some parts they have done a 'controlled burn, which has left the ground black, but with white scrub. Although ugly it can be very photogenic, I would get out there as the weather is on the turn, look forward to your foray and captures, good luck.
Cheers Ross, sadly the best time was around 2 months ago, when the heather was out and in it's true glory. Sadly I was in the Arctic photographing Polar bears, glad you like it, many thanks for the kind words.
Very nice.
Love the color palette here.
Good comp and the blurred heather in the FG is really beautiful.
The little tuft of feather at the top is sweet.
Hi Steve, Ive always liked these type of images with the subject blending into the surroundings. Love the light, colour and details, and how you captured the head against the smooth BG. Cant imagine what this would have looked like a few months ago, but as you stated, you were photographing more interesting subjects.
Red Grouse
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I noticed the heather was on its way out last weekend when I was at the Glen. After seeing this, makes me want to go back NOW 
