Andean Cock of the Rock (Peru)

[Glenn Bartley]

These guys are always a favourite down in the Andes and are Peru's National bird. I have seen them several times before but never had a really good opportunity to photograph them. For those that dont know - these birds gather at what are called "lek" sites to display for would-be mates. Sometimes you can have dozens of them all in one area! Unfortunately, normally the leks are only active very early or very late in the day making photography a challenge. I got lucky on this day to have some action a bit earlier in the afternoon. What a treat to watch these guys for a few hours :)

Camera Model: Canon EOS 7D
Shutter speed: 1/160 sec
Aperture: 4
Exposure compensation: -2/3
Flash: On
ISO: 800
Focal length: 500mm

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Glenn, a great shot of this incredibly difficult bird. Sort of knowing the conditions these birds like to inhabit and time they surface the image is a credit to you. A 4.00am start for us, in place by 4.30 only to watch them from a distance in their lek trying to attract the females with their calls and bright plumage, so shooting was not really on the cards as you will have found out.

Love that rich red, a real striking, yet comical looking bird, you could almost think it was something from The Muppets.

Congratulations on get this.

TFS
Steve

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image Glenn! I like the setting, colours, pose and eye contact. I second Steves comment about this bird looking like a Muppet character.

[Hayath Mohammed]

Love how the colors contrast! Very nice details too

To me the bird looks a little "boxed" in due to the branches. But then yes one takes what one can get in such situations, plus a birds like this is worth it all

Cheers,
Hayath

[arash_hazeghi]

wow! what a spectacular specie. thanks for sharing this with us...the presentation is a bit small and I am not seeing much feather details but maybe this is just the way it looks.