Sidelit Chukar

Sometimes it really is “all about the light”.

 

chukar 7829 ron dudley

1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, one dropping removed from perch, not baited, set up or called in

For me, the angle and quality of light make this shot (even though I like the perch and love the background).  It was taken soon after sunrise on Antelope Island this past May Day.  The upper background is the Great Salt Lake with mudflats below.  Sharp eyes may notice a small errant feather in the shade at the upper margin of the left wing.   The feather could be easily removed  but for this presentation I chose to let it remain.

Chukars on the island have been scarce for many months now.  I just checked my files and the last one I photographed there was on 25 May, 2014.  Hopefully they’re all hiding out in the more remote and inaccessible areas and will reappear when the cold temperatures hit and the snow flies in earnest.  I miss seeing (and hearing) them.

Ron

31 Comments

  1. Sensational shot! Thanks for sharing!
    Charlotte

  2. Humming Bird Lover

    Hi! Love the great photo! I loved seeing the Chukars When I was in Ut. in 2012! My first ever knowing they were in the bird chain! they are so beautiful! You do such good photos always. Have a great day!

  3. Nice Ron! Love everything about it! “Light” is one of the things I am trying to better with in my photos!

  4. I’ve never seen one of these. A very striking bird, indeed.

  5. Love seeing the Beagle Birds again – in any light. Thank you.

  6. Hi Ron,

    I’m late seeing this, but I’m also so taken by this lovely portrait – feels like you captured the chukar’s essence, and there’s that stately pose and compelling eye contact. What a treat to see your work on a daily basis!

  7. What a fantastic shot Ron! Thanks for sharing!
    Charlotte

  8. Ron- Just beautiful! Lighting and background are superb. Great Capture!

  9. LIght’s one thing but it takes a great eye to catch it. Great image.

  10. Simply gorgeous! Hope they reappear soon for you.

  11. Very nice shot, Ron.

  12. Truly gorgeous shot……..you may already know this ; a low, raking angle of light is the favorite of many landscape painters–texture and form are instantly highlighted . Maybe even better for birds !

    • Absolutely, Kris. Those same light qualities often enhance bird images too but birds are so fleeting that bird photographers often have to “take what we can get” (though I’ll admit that I disdain that phrase and that practice because it’s so often used as an excuse, for light and for many other things). That’s the primary reason I nearly always photograph early (very early) in the morning.

  13. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Pose, angle, colors, lighting….everything!!!

  14. Incredible… Very impressive image Ron, even background and exposure is so complimenting. Thanks for sharing.

    • Thanks Butch. Glad you noticed exposure. I usually have to tweak exposure a slight bit (or more) in ACR during processing but even though I played with it a little I ended up making no adjustments at all on this one. It’s satisfying to get exposure just right “in camera” (plus it sure helps with image quality too…) Wish I could do it every time.

  15. Dramatic, beautiful photo! Perfect in every way…

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