Red Grouse

Gallery: AvianPosted December 28, 2009225 views22 comments

1D2n, 600mm f4 is, 1/500s, f4, iso 400.

I stumbled across a number of these whilst out looking for something else. I have several close-ups, but I like the way this one popped his head up out of the winter heather. The background is snow reflecting the blue-grey sky. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I keep coming back to it so would value your comments.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on December 28, 2009 at 4:53 PM

I was wondering where you've been. This one is different. I like the idea, but I do wish there was more detail in the foreground to give a sense of what he is poking out from. Kind of looks like brown fog. Have a Happy New Year.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on December 28, 2009 at 5:07 PM

I love it and wouldn't change a thing. If anything, I'd rather the reflecting blue grey snow wasn't there, but that's minor. Beautiful and unusual image.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on December 28, 2009 at 5:21 PM

Works for me,Ian. Unique! Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 28, 2009 at 5:27 PM

I feel like I am peering at the grouse through a dark mist of some sort, and I rather like it as is. I'd prefer the blue gray colors weren't in the image, but they don't ruin the image for me either. Very different, good eye.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by John MacTavish on December 28, 2009 at 6:13 PM

Works very well for me Ian.
I thought you could get away without the snow, but when I cut it out the image didn't work the same.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 41 Posts, 145 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmie Fata on December 28, 2009 at 6:14 PM

"Head above the clouds" so to speak. Congratulations on a great image.

Registered on December 27, 2009, 14 Posts, 55 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on December 28, 2009 at 6:54 PM

Many thanks for the feedback - it has addressed some of my concerns. Here is an alternative after cloning the top (which I prefer not to usually!)

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 28, 2009 at 8:52 PM

I'll have some of that tea Ian. I looked at this earlier and liked it but it's different enough that I decided to wait and think about it for a while. Your repost makes all the difference for me. A very unique image that I like a lot. I have similar feelings about cloning as you do but very occasionally an image tempts me to do a small bit of it and I succumb. I'd have done it here too. Very nice.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on December 28, 2009 at 9:17 PM

Yep, I like the re-post better too.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 28, 2009 at 10:53 PM

Not my style, BUT you did a great job with the focus and the bird really stands out well.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 28, 2009 at 11:04 PM

A very nice mood to this image, Ian. I like it a lot.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on December 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM

Love this as is ...wonderful image

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 29, 2009 at 2:47 AM

Interesting effect Ian, with your stamp all over it

It does look like the Grouse is in fog or mist.
I agree with Brian, that something to gauge where the bird is standing would have been nice.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Jones on December 29, 2009 at 6:21 AM

Love the composition colours/oof,and over the last 2-3 weeks you have certainly shown us some of the best wildlife Scotland has to offer and I wished I lived there

lovely grouse image

Registered on January 31, 2009, 67 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 29, 2009 at 6:58 AM

Large image is wonderful Ian - just enough detail in the bird to bring it out from the surrounds

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Danzenbaker on December 29, 2009 at 11:25 AM

This is beautiful, Ian; very well seen and executed. I'm biased against any clone jobs, but I think I prefer the original version regardless.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 40 Posts, 791 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on December 29, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Absolutely fabulous. I could go with either version here, both have that jaw dropping drama!

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on December 29, 2009 at 4:27 PM

Wonderful image. Hope you are going to frame it and hang on your wall.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 29, 2009 at 6:44 PM

Very unique Ian. I like it as is, but agree that the blue area could go and the image would be stronger IMO.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 29, 2009 at 7:43 PM

I am with Mike Danzenbaker on this one, Ian.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 30, 2009 at 10:27 AM

I love the repost. The birds face really catches and holds the eye.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on December 30, 2009 at 7:20 PM

I like the repost too, Ian. Very artistic.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments