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Macro and Flora Moderator
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BPN Member
Hi Jon ... yes I see you have been successful 
Image does look very nice overall , with the subject standing out nicely from FG/BG .
Pose is nice , I guess in a preening action . Nice detail and tones in the subject .
Not too fuzzed about the cropping ... why so much on top or so less at the bottom ??? Maybe because the FG is somewhat busy ?
Have not seen a grouse in real life , just asking curious about the very obvious blue feathers ???!!!
Nice one Jon and glad you managed to create some images .
TFS Andreas
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Macro and Flora Moderator
Glad you liked it Andreas. The crop looks OK to me, just a different shape to 3:2.......I have made some 3:2 - I know you prefer them. The blue hue was very apparent in the early morning light and I didn't see much sense in removing it just because I could. At this time of year the males are still lekking but not aggressively, there is a bit of posturing but it doesn't go much more than that.
The advantage at this time of year is that there are no photographers about so I had the place to myself - just a few hitchhikers that's all.......a few more to follow, I'll probably end up going back next week with the 1.4 and 2x converter, I haven't used them yet with the big zoom 2000mm!!!! Not sure how good they will be - let's hope for some light.
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Wildlife Moderator
Nice one Jon, good detail overall and I like the richness of the scene, just not your favour cropping, minimal at the foot, truckloads above. Be nice to shoot occasionally with a bit more below, just for the option.
Think the blue is more iridescent and darker, did you up the blue?
TFS
Steve
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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Hi Jon, I think the bird looks really nice, not having seen one I don't know anything about the colors. I like the scene the pose of the bird with a nice look back, and the pure background. Thank you for sharing.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
www.amazinglight.smugmug.com
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Macro and Flora Moderator
Thanks Steve and Jo, hopefully i can visit this site fairly regularly. The appearance of the blue is highly variable depending upon the light and light angle, I am happy with it, if you wish to make an alternative Steve by all means do so I can see what you mean.
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Nice back side view of this preening Grouse Jon! I love the blue feathers, great HA and detail. I agree about the crop with being a bit top heavy, but I still like the image a lot!.
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Post a Thank You. - 1 Thanks
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Wildlife Moderator
I am happy with it, if you wish to make an alternative Steve by all means do so I can see what you mean.
Jon no need, if I have the time I might have a 'fiddle', there is a guy who shoots OM system with a Grouse lek.
Post Production: It’s ALL about what you do with the tools and not, which brand of tool you use.

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BPN Member
This is a beauty Jon. Great looking birds and you captured it well. Love the colours throughout the image and I don't mind the room on top, it shows the environment. Lovely detail and pose on the bird. Not the easiest birds to get close to, you done well here.
Will
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Publisher
Sharp with a nice look-back preening head angle. With the subject relatively small in the frame it is far too centered and there is too much nothing above the bird.
with love, a
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Publisher