Sage Grouse Display

Gallery: AvianPosted March 18, 2016145 views9 comments

Canon 1D-X, 500mm f4 x 1.4TC, handheld from truck window
f6.3, 1/800, ISO200

This morning I found the Sage Grouse leks for the toms I posted last month. After a very cold night in the back of my pickup, I found two leks over the course of two hours. It was my first time seeing the behavior live. Absolutely amazing.

I expect this will be the first of a series of posts.

70% of full frame. Slight adjustments to Levels.

C & C, please. Thanks for looking.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 18, 2016 at 8:09 PM

Excellent, Jim. It looks like the lek was pretty near the road. I like the pose you chose. When I was able to photograph this species last year, it was really difficult to pick which pose and angle to go with for posting.

devil

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

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on March 18, 2016 at 9:01 PM

Jim: wonderful shot. Love the pose, light and the detail in the feathers. Seeing the air sacs from the side really shows just how big they are. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on March 19, 2016 at 5:55 AM

Hi Jim,

Great shot of an interesting, rare bird! The comp and subject's pose are pretty good. The dark spot in the upper rh BG draws my eye a bit. Yoi could clone it out to improve the artistic esthetic of the image. But not a deal breaker devil

....................Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 19, 2016 at 1:17 PM

Really beautiful image Jim. Nice placement in the frame, good display and techs look great. This is getting me excited as well. Hoping to head out to the only lek I know about in the next 2 weeks.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on March 19, 2016 at 3:03 PM

Awesome and inspirational image. I like the composition, pose, and habitat inclusion. I plan to head to the high desert next week and these guys are high on my wish list. Thanks for posting.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Bell on March 19, 2016 at 4:17 PM

I like the narrow DOF, and the contrast between the extremely sharp bird and blurred background. Well done.

Registered on February 21, 2016, 187 Posts, 192 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 19, 2016 at 9:28 PM

Really nice image in all aspects. No nits from me.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 20, 2016 at 2:28 PM

Lovely setting for this Grouse, the colors all work very well together.The black patch on the right draws my attention a little away from the bird though, you may consider cloning that out (should your ethics allow for such a thing). Other than that, a fine image ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 21, 2016 at 12:26 AM

Sweet photo of this handsome performing in its habitat Jim. Excellent details and exposure work.

A pleasing composition!

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments