Willow Ptarmigan

Gallery: AvianPosted May 9, 201632,767 views10 comments

Another one from our Nome trip last June. We happened upon this handsome fellow around midnight as we were meandering our way back to town one evening. If you've have ever heard the call of the male willow ptarmigan, you have to admit its one of the most unique bird sounds you have heard. I love their call, they are certainly one of my favorite birds of the arctic tundra.

Canon 7Dll; 600mm; Gitzo tripod & BH-55 ballhead; 1/320; f 7.1; ISO 1250; nearly full frame

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on May 9, 2016 at 6:29 AM

Ken.
Very nice pose with the slightly open beak devil

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 9, 2016 at 12:08 PM

Very good calling shot. Nice that you had some sunlight in Nome; that doesn't always happen. As for the call, if you've ever had them perch on your tent and call all night, well, the charm wears off after a while. cool

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on May 9, 2016 at 3:54 PM

Great light and I love the calling pose.

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on May 9, 2016 at 4:49 PM

Really nice light (midnight, wow) and pose from this guy Ken. Well done!

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 9, 2016 at 6:01 PM

Sweet calling pose and light on this one Ken, nicely composed. devil

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

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on May 9, 2016 at 9:07 PM

Very beautiful bird. Nice image, with great pose.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Raoul Breaux Jr on May 9, 2016 at 10:30 PM

This is a nice image Ken. Everything is spot on--especially the light. It must be great shooting so far north where one has the morning and evening light at the same time most of the day.

Registered on April 27, 2016, 20 Posts, 142 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 10, 2016 at 11:38 PM

I like the outstretched neck and calling pose in this one. Nice work Ken!

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

Comment posted by May Haga on May 11, 2016 at 2:23 PM

This is a beauty Ken. I love the arctic at this time of year and I would highly recommend Ken's upcoming trip to Nome. Being out at midnight with the sun still shining is an amazing experience.
May

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

Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on May 16, 2016 at 1:34 PM

Another great one, Ken. I'm going to have to get up there one of these days.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments