During spring and early summer Chukars habitually call from large rock perches but in winter they’re secretive, elusive and very difficult to approach. On the rare occasions I can get close to the species this time of year they’re buried in the vegetation and I can’t get a clear shot.
1/800, f/8, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
But I found this bird on a nice boulder perch last month on one of the first very cold mornings of the winter. The sun had just come up over the Wasatch Mountains and this Chukar was determined to absorb some heat from the warming rays so it hardly moved a feather for the several minutes I was able to keep it in frame. At times like this they fluff up their insulating feathers and always remind me of the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Or perhaps the bird simply swallowed a softball, ya think?
Full disclosure – I cloned out a couple of bird droppings on the rock which is something I seldom do but in this case they were quite conspicuous and distracting.
Ron
Wonderful picture! The striking plumage with the soft light makes for a great picture.
It would be quite a sight seeing him fly in that expanded state wouldn’t it? Not likely for sure, but if the balloon Laurence thinks he ate was full of helium, all he’d have to do is spread his wings and float!
Funny sight…great image.
I’m with Laurence. He does look like a blow up bird. Beautiful with it though. And I love the soft dawn light too.
Hey Laurence, maybe you’re right and it WAS a balloon. Hadn’t thought of that possibility…
hehe fun picture Ron. He looks like he ate a balloon.