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<\/p>\nIt’s unusual, even rare, for me to get quality photos of truly wild Chukars. Usually I’ve photographed them on Antelope Island where they tend to be acclimated to people and vehicles so they’re often approachable. Elsewhere they’re spooky and shy. Maddeningly so.<\/p>\n
But yesterday morning in the west desert a single wild Chukar in a large flock broke the mold.<\/p>\n
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I didn’t even know there were Chukars nearby when a flock of about 40 of them came from out of nowhere and flew across the dirt road in front of me, from right to left, and landed in tall grass close to the road. All but one of them disappeared instantly but I could see this one as ‘he’ ran through the grass. It’s a crappy photo but I wanted you to see what I was dealing with.<\/p>\n
I’m not even sure why I tried to keep him in my viewfinder. I could barely see him and I sure as hell couldn’t focus on him as he ran through the grass.<\/p>\n
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But suddenly and completely unexpectedly he reached an open spot, stopped and gave me this cross-legged, backward-looking pose for about three seconds. And then he was gone.<\/p>\n
It’s nice to see Chukars decked out in fine plumage again. In the fall they can look pretty scruffy.<\/p>\n
I never once saw any of the other Chukars after they landed in the grass, even though I knew they were close. All I could do was hear them.\u00a0Chukars being Chukars.<\/p>\n
Ron<\/p>\n
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Note: A saying popular amongst Chukar hunters illustrates how difficult Chukars are to find and approach in their preferred wild and steep habitats.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n