Ptarmigan II

Ahh mother, great shot for seeing the camouflage with the greys/brown background

Thank you Sophie for your insightful comment. The lack of contrast is precisely what I want to reflect: the extraordinarily effective camouflage that this bird has with its granite rock environment. I often can hear her call but find her difficult to locate even though she may be in plain sight.

So beautiful ! I don't know this kind of bird : does she live in Europe ? or where ? The "uncontrast" (I don't know this word is correct...)is precisely the great value of this sublim photo. Many thanks.

This is beautiful photograph and you've made it look wonderful even without its lack of contrast. IMHO we should first judge a photograph with our heart (the essence of the photo) and then with our head (all the technical details) because even if a photograph was technically perfect, without a soul it would be lifeless.

Dick, Another fine photo. Very nice depth of field, composition, you captured the bird and the rock as two distinct elements perfectly even though their texture is so similar. Interesting how the color works so well even though there is so little other than mostly grays. I'd hang that one on the wall!

Beautiful shot! I've read about this elusive Ptarmigan. I know how difficult it is to find, let alone photograph. I love how it stands out from the background in the overall blue cast. Nicely Done!!

I really like this shot for several reasons. First, I appreciate your ability to capture one of these guys on film. Second, I like the DOF. Third, and finally, it is a great documentary shot, illustrating the effectiveness of the natural camouflage. Did you use a little fill flash? (It looks like there is a little catch light in the eye.) If so, good job.

Yes Carl, I tried to use just enough fill flash to create the catchlight in the somewhat overcast conditions. Otherwise, I would not have needed the fill, though it also may have given me a slight advantage while handholding.