Gambel's Quail on Saguaro

Gallery: AvianPosted February 17, 20082,474 views33 comments

Here is another Gambel's Quail from my recent trip to Southern Arizona. This is full frame, photographed in late afternoon light.

MarkIII 500IS+1.4X 1/800 F5.6 iso 640, exp comp -1/3, Tripod, Blind

Comments

33 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on February 17, 2008 at 12:43 AM

Cool! What great light. Can't say I've seen them up on a Saguaro like this (in my limited experience down there).

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

Comment posted by Danny Shelton on February 17, 2008 at 12:44 AM

I like everything about this one.

Registered on October 2, 2007, 14 Posts, 1029 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 17, 2008 at 12:44 AM

Terrific! Nothing I'd want to change in this fine image.

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

Comment posted by Daniel Streifel on February 17, 2008 at 12:50 AM

Very nice!! I like the BG, the light, the detail and the perch. OK, I like everything about this shot. Congratulations Nate.

Registered on October 8, 2006, 77 Posts, 886 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on February 17, 2008 at 1:49 AM

This is simply gorgeous, Nate!

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on February 17, 2008 at 3:24 AM

This is nice Nate, I really like the way this shot is composed. The techs look dead on. Nice contrast between the head plume and the background.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on February 17, 2008 at 4:00 AM

very nice ...

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 17, 2008 at 7:04 AM

Stunning Nate

cheers Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 17, 2008 at 8:21 AM

Nate

There isn't a single thing I would change about this image, it is stunning. Incredible detail, colors and sharpness. The pose and composition are delightful.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on February 17, 2008 at 9:04 AM

Excellent presentation. What a perch! Wonder how they avoid the sharp spines of the cactus.
May

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

Comment posted by George Hall, Jr on February 17, 2008 at 10:31 AM

Very nice image Nate. Nice details and perch. Nice one.

Registered on July 11, 2004, 283 Posts, 2395 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 17, 2008 at 10:39 AM

The wonderful lighting and thorny perch make this shot for me Nate. I get lots of opportunities with quail (California variety) but can never get them on a decent perch. An exemplary image!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 17, 2008 at 10:55 AM

Gorgeous colours. I love this one Nate

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Wilson on February 17, 2008 at 11:18 AM

Very nice Nate, I like the dynamic pose (and light, perch, BG etc)

Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 17, 2008 at 11:43 AM

Nice light and a killer composition. I get the impression this is a timid species, basing this on the posture and the fact you used a blind ?!?

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Lisa Cuchara on February 17, 2008 at 12:22 PM

OOOOOOooooohhh! I love it! The light is beautiful and the composition is well done. Cannot think of anyway to improve it. I would have liked to be there with you!
Wow!
Lisa

Registered on May 10, 2006, 52 Posts, 48 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 17, 2008 at 12:44 PM

Thanks everyone for your kind comments, to answer your question Gary they are timid but can be enticed in with birdfeed.

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

Comment posted by Paul Inglis on February 17, 2008 at 1:13 PM

Hi Nate,

Not a bird I know but this is absolutely lovely! Spot on!

Registered on October 23, 2007, 26 Posts, 2832 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on February 17, 2008 at 1:24 PM

Perfect shot Nate. I love the story the photo tells about where this bird resides.

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on February 17, 2008 at 1:41 PM

This is like a work of art!

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by chris hajee on February 17, 2008 at 4:03 PM

I like everything about this one.

Registered on January 18, 2005, 179 Posts, 2384 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Sanchez on February 17, 2008 at 4:11 PM

Nate,
Doesn't get any better than this. Great all around. Is this a ranch that can be used by nature photographers?

Registered on March 22, 2006, 46 Posts, 594 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 17, 2008 at 5:29 PM

Ray, the Pond at Elephant Head in Amado, AZ is not a ranch, its only about a 5 acre property. The owner, Bill Forbes, is a photographer too and has set up some waterholes, blinds and a feeding station. He charges a fee to shoot there. It's a great spot to get a lot of desert species.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 17, 2008 at 6:33 PM

Excellent, Nate. I like that thorny perch.

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

Comment posted by Jose Suro on February 17, 2008 at 9:07 PM

Classic sharpness, background, light, everything. If anything the bird being more upright would be perfection. Great work as usual.

Best,

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on February 17, 2008 at 10:13 PM

Superb in every way, Nate. On top of that, it is just a cool picture!

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Andrew Johnson on February 17, 2008 at 10:48 PM

Excellent quail, Nate. I saw some California quail this afternoon. Although there were some great the light wasn't working in most spots. I actually have a few quail shots I took last spring I'm really happy with (taken at the same spot too).

Registered on September 23, 2006, 15 Posts, 126 Comments

Comment posted by Gianni Marcucci on February 18, 2008 at 8:23 AM

Very beautiful shot

Registered on January 11, 2008, 6 Posts, 123 Comments

Comment posted by Marco Marchelli on February 18, 2008 at 1:44 PM

Amazing!!!

Registered on December 25, 2007, 13 Posts, 526 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on February 18, 2008 at 10:22 PM

I'm with everyone else on this one Nate!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Andrea Marzorati on February 19, 2008 at 9:01 AM

like everything,great image

Registered on December 1, 2005, 86 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Bradley Esau on February 19, 2008 at 10:36 AM

Doestn't get any better than this, Nate! WTG!

Registered on December 10, 2007, 30 Posts, 558 Comments

Comment posted by Andrey Antov on April 4, 2008 at 10:00 PM

That is a lovely shot.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 292 Posts, 341 Comments