-36 Degrees

Gallery: AvianPosted January 16, 201732,767 views13 comments

A few years ago during a winter Yellowstone adventure, we came upon this ruffed grouse foraging on the buds of frosty willow branches just before sunrise. We were amazed at how the grouse would travel from branch to branch and from bush to bush without having to fly or jump into the snow. He actually leaped about three feet to this particular perch just above the snow.

I thought I was well pre-pared for the extreme cold, but after a half hour with this fellow my hands were totally numb. Luckily our rig was just a few yards away and was toasty warm and waiting for our return after this unique encounter..

Canon 1D MKIV; 600mm; f6.3;1/640; ISO 1000; Gitzo Tripod; RRS Ball-head; Manual Settings, Spot Meter Reading at +2 stops off white snow

All your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 16, 2017 at 8:05 AM

Ken,
My that is cold!
I wonder if reducing the blue a little might improve this image?

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 16, 2017 at 10:39 AM

This image conveys the winger conditions quite well. I'd not reduce the blue - that is part of the cold winter feel IMO.

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

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 16, 2017 at 12:06 PM

I agree the blue helps convey this is a cold, wintry scene. Nice detail in the grouse. I like the head turn and open mouth.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 16, 2017 at 12:38 PM

Yellowstone (or Bosque) can be killers at winter dawn.
Nice look at this grouse. Great mouth-open pose, great detail, and nice snow and branch BG.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Floyd Hopper on January 16, 2017 at 5:13 PM

Great shot. Love the texture in grouse.

Registered on May 1, 2009, 652 Posts, 762 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 16, 2017 at 6:25 PM

Very cool, Ken. sad

How do you keep your camera operational at those temperatures-insulation and handwarmers?

A Very nice image of this grouse. I'm glad you didn't warm the white balance.

devil

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

Comment posted by Charles Bell on January 16, 2017 at 6:44 PM

Nice shot, Ken, I like the way the bird appears to be calling. No question that such conditions make photography hard!

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on January 16, 2017 at 7:53 PM

Now that's cold in any language! Even the equipment stops functioning well if you stay out too long at that temperature. This is pretty cool from the standpoint of composition. Even with a busy environment, the grouse just pops so well due to the sharp focus on the bird and the branches in the same plane and the out of focus branches in the background. Really well-done.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 16, 2017 at 8:59 PM

Hi Ken,

This grouse is one tough bird. Blue shadows are fine and helps convey the chilly conditions of that morning. I'm amazed they can get enough energy from willow buds. Well done capturing this natural history shot.......................Jim

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 17, 2017 at 10:37 AM

I know what you mean....it's been down in the '60's around here. Brrrr....

Excellent photo, and a good example of why it's important to get out there and tough it out once in a while. devil

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on January 17, 2017 at 2:10 PM

Ken, I agree that the blue cast helps convey the bitter cold weather you had to deal with. It looks to me like it was worth it. I like the open beak, great composition as well.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 18, 2017 at 12:43 AM

This is a great winter image, and I agree about leaving the blue cast.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 20, 2017 at 7:11 PM

Love that calling pose and the setting Ken, sweet shot! devil

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