Willow Ptarmigan Male

Gallery: AvianPosted August 7, 2011113 views6 comments

Olympus E-5, 300mm x 2.0TC, laying on ground
f5.7, 1/400, ISO200

Another Willow Ptarmigan from the Savage River Canyon, Denali National Park. Depressingly, this guy is already moving into winter plumage.

The near-square crop is the result of some really ugly stuff on the right. 80% of full frame. Selective sharpening to bird, extra sharpening to head.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

6 comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on August 7, 2011 at 6:21 AM

Jim,

I think in this case the nearly square crop works well. I like the pose, colors, nice look at the eye and the head turn.

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

Comment posted by David Hemmings on August 7, 2011 at 10:07 AM

Interesting to see the start of the plumage change, nice capture Jim.

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 7, 2011 at 11:28 AM

I think the crop works well too, no worries on composition. Very nice setting for the bird, and a great head turn.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on August 7, 2011 at 3:28 PM

Jim that's a fine looking bird sitting very nicely in the frame as David says it's interesting to see the start of the plumage change.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 7, 2011 at 10:21 PM

Nice, Jim. Good head turn and a great look at the plumage.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on August 9, 2011 at 12:37 AM

Not a big one for square crops but the marvelous subject in this case seems to lessen the importance, and I love the low angle of view you acquired!

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments