A grouse or two

[billtils]

Taken from a hide overlooking a Black Grouse lek somewhere in the Grampians. I had a grouse or two about getting up at 02:00 and about not managing to get any action shots (in flight or wing waving) but you have to make the best of what the bids offer up.


First is a fairly common framing:



as is this





In addition to the contrast between the white tail feathers and black/blue black body plumage being a bit of a challenge, I had to deal with changing light conditions and the attendant WB choices:









Oh, and then there was the question of "are my toes frost-bitten" ...


C&C appreciated - it was a rewarding experience, even if the highlight was the sounds that birds make rather than the images.

[Wavelength]

So lovely!!!

[Shadowman]

Yeh, they tend to do that to me as well, nicely captured.

[lovelife65]

Very nice! Great color and detail.
Almost looks as if he/she is mooning you

[billtils]

Very nice! Great color and detail.
Almost looks as if he/she is mooning you

Sharon

They are all "he". The male grouse are strutting their stuff to establish who is the dominant male. At this time of year it is a pre-mating ritual but I was told that males (in smaller numbers) will lek throughout the year.

[Tom Barry]

Absolutely perfect exposures on a difficult subject. Well done, indeed.