Lickety-split Chukar

We haven’t seen many Chukars recently but yesterday we found a small covey feeding at the base of several rabbitbrush on the north end of Antelope Island.

 

chukar 0261 ron dudley

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light

Most of them were pretty skittish but the sentry bird was standing watch on top of a snow-covered boulder as the rest of the birds slowly wandered away.  The sentry posed for us for several minutes.

 

 

chukar 0248 ron dudley

 1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light

 It called out to the rest of the flock twice.

 

 

chukar 0305 ron dudley

 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light

 Chukars are often reluctant to fly and prefer to scurry on the ground to safety.   In an instant the bird accelerated up the rock…

 

 

 

chukar 0307 ron dudley

  1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light

 and down the other side.  It was really moving.

 

 

chukar 0313 ron dudley

  1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light

In this last decent shot I got in the series, the bird appears to be sledding on top of the snow as much as it is running through it.

I really enjoy photographing Chukars in the snow this time of year.  For much of the fall and early winter these birds are pretty scruffy looking but now their plumage appears bright and fresh again.

Ron

13 Comments

  1. I like the first vertical shot, it’s so sharp.

  2. Anthromorphism to the fore, I agree with you about that last shot, he does look to be sledding/sliding and would add that he looks to be enjoying himself. I love the mask – the phantom Chukar.
    Thank you = and have a wonderful new year.

  3. I have never seen a Chukar and probably never will, unless I make it up your way, and I will probably never do that either. But I can see them very well through your wonderful images, Ron.

  4. To date, my only experience with a Chukar was with one brought into our wildlife hospital. I’ve never seen one in the wild, and these photos just blow my mind in terms of how lovely Chukars are, especially as contrasted with the snow.

    • Ingrid, Snow is my favorite setting for this species – especially when you can get them against a deep blue sky or the more subtle blues of the Great Salt Lake.

  5. Gosh, these are so beautiful–its plumage is glorious in this light. I’ve never seen one with its neck so extended as in your last picture. I tend to think of them as rolly-polly, but I see they are not quite as round as I thought. Somehow, even though it’s “sledding” it manages to look elegant. What fun!

  6. How I LOVE these vicarious trips to Antelope Island! Thank you SO MUCH for the beauty and clarity of your photos, and your interesting commentary.

  7. Charlotte Norton's

    Stunning shots of stunning birds!

    • Thanks very much, Charlotte. I got lucky to keep the bird in the frame for a few shots while it was running so fast. I clipped some body parts in a few other images. Frustrating…

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