Willow Ptarmigan

Gallery: AvianPosted November 19, 2010139 views5 comments

We were hiking the Savage River Trail in Denali when a flock of Willow Ptarmigan started moving in the vegetation along the river. They hung around for a long time and gave us some really good looks. This on took a dust bath within a few feet of us. This was my first time to see Ptarmigan of any kind. Alaska was great fun.

Canon 30D
Tokina 80-400
Aperture Priority
Shutter 1/500
Aperture f6.7
ISO 400
210mm
Full Frame

Comments

5 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 19, 2010 at 9:58 AM

Love the pose and behavior here Richard - especially as evidenced by the flying dirt to the left. Really like the color of the bird. Great to get this full frame.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 19, 2010 at 4:28 PM

Very interesting image. I've only seen ptarmigan once and this is neat behavior to see.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 19, 2010 at 6:35 PM

Wonderful action Richard, that sandy gravel flying is great. Lovely natural colors & details. An interesting and appealing image

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 19, 2010 at 8:46 PM

A first seeing a ptarmigan dust bathing for me Richard, really nice image. Cropping a little from the bottom would be an option here but then it wouldn't be full frame anymore and it's always nice to have a good full frame image.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 21, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Very cool Richard.
May

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