Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Ruffed Grouse
‹ PreviousAvian GalleryNext ›

Ruffed Grouse

by Neil Rossmiller

Gallery: AvianPosted June 15, 2015285 views7 comments

After discovering the Long-eared Owls and trying to locate their daytime roost back in March I came across a pair of Ruffed Grouse on a couple of different ocassions. This encounter had me crawling around in the leaf litter on my belly with a bird that seemed pretty comfortable walking and/or standing still rather than flushing.

Canon 5Dii, Canon 70-200 2.8 w/1.4 ext. = 280mm, ISO 1600, 1/100 @ f5.0

Thanks for looking and commenting.

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Richard Teller on June 15, 2015 at 9:54 PM

Nice sharpe detail and good color. The background is a bit busy, but you blurred it well which causes the bird to pop. 

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments
Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on June 15, 2015 at 10:41 PM

I just had some fun with these a couple weekends ago and just haven't posted a shot yet, but I do get the crawling part Neil! sad      I do  like the low angle, but agree with BG is pretty busy. Looks like you may have tried toning down the exposure a little and it does make the bird stand out a bit..just wish there was a little more separation.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Reed on June 16, 2015 at 9:03 AM

Nice Shot Neil. I chase these guys a lot too.

Check out this video I made of one drumming this spring.

I can relate to your "crawling in the leaf litter" laugh

https://youtu.be/Qhm08NJicCo

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on June 16, 2015 at 10:45 AM

You have to shoot these down where they are, great catch Neil.

It's a very handsome bird, love the plumage color patterns of it..

Surroundings nicely defocused, well done!devil

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 16, 2015 at 8:50 PM

Great low angle, Neil and an excellent job getting a clear shot at it.  Beautiful detail and exposure.  Well done.

devil

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on June 17, 2015 at 5:30 AM

Nice to see one onubstructed, however the bg is a little distrating to me. Would be happy with this shot nevertheless cool, cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 18, 2015 at 4:36 PM

Great job getting low and close here Neil, the bird has great detail and is sharp head to toe.  The oof branch on the left isn't ideal but nothing you could have done about that, sweet shot! devil

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