Gambel's quail getting his early morning drink from the pond at Elephant Head, Arizona. I have always loved to watch quail since growing up in the Texas brush country. Water was scarce there like in the desert. The quail would come into the yard twice a day for water. A recent trip to Arizone allowed me to see and photograph two new species of quail for me, including these gorgeous birds.
D700 500 f/4
ISO 400 1/800 f/4 -1/3 EV
Tripod from a blind
PP LR3, cropped, adjusted color balance from auto to daylight, toned down the brightness of the rocks in the background. I also lightened the birds chin to separate it a little from the dark shadow behind it. Sharpened and converted back to jpeg for screen.
Hi Mark Nice light on the bird and great behavior !!! Wish that shadow was not there but should be easy to soften in PS, minor tweak !!
Composition wise I know you were trying for the reflection and a full would have been great, do check out the possibility of cropping to just below the orange in the head, makes a strong image and focuses more on the bird !!! Excellent !!!
Morning water in the desert
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