These guys always make me laugh (to some degree) when watching them run around and then having them give a look like they don't think they are being seen... this image was made early last summer out on Antelope Island State Park in the Great Salt Lake. Usually I don't have much luck with these guys stopping and giving me a pose, but this particular chukar seemed a little more relaxed than the others and stood still while I captured a few frames.
P.S. Chukars certainly get the love out this way... checkout http://www.utahchukars.org/ if you're intersted in learning more about this interesting bird.
Last edited by John Blumenkamp; 01-27-2009 at 12:24 AM.
I've followed a few Chukar around Antelope Island (without much success on my two trips so far). This is really beautiful John, with tons of detail to show off this bird. I'm a bit surprised that the entire bird seems sharp at f/5.6...I probably would have stopped down just a bit based upon the available light, but you managed well. I like the backward glance of the bird too!
Beautiful pose and amazing details. Head angle looks great. I would probably work at ISO 200-400 for more flexibility with aperture and shutter speed but there is nothing wrong with the result you achieved here, John. I might darken down the light areas on the perch a little and darken the sky a tad. A little selective work to brighten the eye may also be an option. Good job.
Sharp with great detail. I have chased them there too! If you could have gotten higher and more to the right (to better show the breast) the image might have been even better.
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Chukar
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