This species makes it into the Southern US in AZ, NM, TX, and FL, but I had to go to the other end pf the Earth to photograph it, in Torres del Paine NP in Patagonia.
I saw this bird perched on a roadside rock pile, and I climbed slowly and carefully above him to get this eye level view. The rocky perch which he selected really
overpowered him, so I decided to go for a close-cropped headshot. Light was fading at end of day, and rain is evidenced by small droplets on the head.
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS R5
1/250 at f/5.6, ISO 3200
Processed in LR CC with a light pass through Topaz.
Hi Dorian ... very cool portrait , nicely done and you made the most out of the situation .
Color , tones and details looking good .... personally I would burn the beak and the lighter head feathers .
Going portrait , would work as well in my book
Nice opportunity here, and you made the most of it. Excellent details, good colours. Apt BG colour too. I could see the bill going a touch darker, but overall the image looks super.