Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed)

[Isaac Grant]

Just back from a short but amazing birding trip to Colorado. While there I did some photography as well. Here is a shot of the Gray-headed subspecies of Dark-eyed Junco. I was trying to get this shot of a look back pose so we could see the beautiful chestnut back on this bird which to me is the best part. The background is a valley below. Was taken at about 11,000 feet in Rocky Mountain National Park at the upper limit of the tree line where all that was left were a few snags here and there.

Canon 1DX and Canon 500 f4 ii + 1.4x iii. Tripod mounted. ISO 1600, F8, SS 1/1600

Processed with DPP 4.6 and PS. Cropped to vertical.

[Michael Thompson]

you nailed it! nice look back with the chestnut showing wonderfully! nice feather detail, and really like that unique perch too.

[Tim Foltz]

Beautiful shot, nice details, perch, HA and BG.

-Tim

[keith mitchell]

Beautiful colour and detail on this bird,bg sets it off beautifully ,very nice indeed.

Keith.

[John Mack]

Nice perch, nice detail and really like that two toned background.

[Alex Becker]

With everyone else here -- killer details and the BG is great with the transition from blue to white. Very cool perch too. TFS

[Juan Tolentino]

Thank you for sharing this image Issac. Checked all the boxes for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Raybel Robles]

Super image! lovely over the shoulder back look, and the details are just superb! The background aswell compliments the bird perfectly!

[Glenn Conlan]

Cant add to what everyone else has said, well done, simply perfect

[David Salem]

Print!!!

[Isaac Grant]

Thanks everyone. Glad you like it. This was a rewarding shot because I parked my car at about 10,600 feet and walked up to almost 12,000 feet. Lugged my gear the whole way up and down. Nice to have something to take home with me. Really I was looking for White-tailed Ptarmagin but did not find any. I had seen so many of these birds that I kept thinking a shot like this would be great. When it posed up on my way down I was thrilled. Only got off about 10 shots, so less than 1 seconds worth on the 1DX and then it flew away down the slope.

[gail bisson]

Can't add much to what has already been said.
My favorite is that gorgeous 2 toned BG,
Gail

[arash_hazeghi]

love the pose and the topside view. sharp with great light