Male Ruff

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi

Back in mid May I was lucky enough to see my first male in partial breeding plumage, and to get a few captures.
The birds werent close but were in good view from a small hide.

I went back 2 days later and all the water had gone! so had they


I dont think they breed here in the UK, maybe less than 10 pairs
Taken with 40D 100-400 1/500 F5.6 iso 400 eV -.33

[Jonathan Ashton]

Richard nice capture but I get the impression the processing is a little OTT, colours seem very contrasting and saturated.

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi Jon

These are very gawdy birds indeed but I know what you mean, easy enough to tone down but I checked in my ref books and the colors are very strong?
I did run a levels/multiply on the BG but nothing on the bird. Several shots show the same strong colors

btw did you know about the Grey Phalarope at Pennington?

[Jonathan Ashton]

Thanks Rich and Hey who's going to Pennington (no I didn't know... and I guess I will be visiting Marshside too as soon as the weather picks up).

[Richard Unsworth]

Write up on GP on Manchester Birding
I think I will get to Marshside tomorrow am before hurricane Katya hits

[Karl Egressy]

Nice capture, Richard.
I did not know that it was such colourful bird, seen only in non-breeding plumage.

[gail bisson]

Now I know why they call this a ruff. Very cool collar around neck. Very nice image with nice BG. A lower angle would have been nice but that is a minor nit,
Gail

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Amazing colorful bird. With the body angle turning away I'm glad you got enough head turn.

[Stu Bowie]

Tack sharp Richard, and Im fine with the colours. Comp wise, as the reflection is quite not there, I would crop some off the bottom, and create a horizontal comp.

[Richard Unsworth]

Thanks all, hope I get to see one next year
btw there is another version of breeding plumage with white head and rump - they look fantastic
there are a few pics on the net; worth checking out IMO