Here is a series of images of our state bird, the California quail, taken at the Tomales Point Trailhead in Point Reyes National Seashore. As I mentioned in a previous post, the sun was just dropping below the horizon as I walked back to the parking lot and found this group of quail. Since the light was mostly gone, I upped the ISO to 1600, locked in the ballhead, and hoped for the best.
I was quite pleased to have a few images come out pretty sharp under these conditions, especially with that nice warm evening light. It was great to hear him call as well, a sound I haven't heard since last summer. Unfortunately, the conditions just weren't great for a sharp shot of a bird in motion as it vocalized, so I was left with left with a bunch of disappointing images that lacked enough sharpness for my taste. Maybe next time!
More images of these beautifully marked birds are available in my Quail Gallery.
This post submitted to World Bird Wednesday -- follow the link to check out the great posts for this week!
Love the photos- my son is determined to see a California Quail one day. Not sure why he picked that one, but we'll have to oblige him at some point.
ReplyDeleteHe's quite regal looking isn't he!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots.
Carletta@Round The Bend
Well done Pat. Great shots of an interesting bird. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful capture of the California Quail! Standing there proud.
ReplyDeleteThe first two are very sharp. I sympathize with you Pat. It always hurts to delete photos with good light, but too much movement for shooting conditions.
ReplyDeleteLovely images of a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the Quail. The evening light is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteFABulous colour and feather pattern detail in these portraits. You definitely picked the right time of day and light for these captures.
ReplyDeleteGreat capture! Really sharp images!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I never seen that bird but its really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat as usual!
ReplyDeleteA stunner of a bird Pat. I love the second shot.
ReplyDeleteWow, what beautiful images. The color is so vivid and there is great detail on each quail. I never knew they could look so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful bird...and beautifully captured too!
ReplyDeleteSo great Pat! I love the stories about photography under less than optimal conditions. 1600 ISO is really pushing it for most cameras yet your images show very little grain. These are gorgeous images under any conditions. A wonderful demonstration of the craft!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series! He is so majestic.
ReplyDeleteWow, your shots are fantastic. And the quail are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Great-looking bird!
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice portrait of a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeletewhat a magnificent bird!
ReplyDeletePat, that evening light is perfect for the beautiful California Quail. This is one of my favorite local species. Their family life, the way the male stands sentinel as the female and young feed during the day, the way they flush into the air with a frighteningly loud flutter of wings as they fly off, weaving back and forth.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous bird that you have captured so well in these shots. I can here it calling "Chi-ca-go, Chi-ca-go" in that last photo. And we thought it was a California bird ;-)
Beautiful markings -- I love these birds (they're in Eastern Oregon too, so we used to see them quite often.)
ReplyDeleteWanted to comment also on your beautiful header slide show (on your web page) -- it is mesmerizing!
I think the light is quite complimentary in these shots Pat. Very nice. I like how the green blur of the background forms a leading line to the bird. The iichen on the post are a great extra touch that really pushes these the extra step.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, I posted the painting I did from your wonderful quail photo. Hope you'll stop by and see it. She makes me smile each time I look at it; reminds me of a roaring 20's flapper with that feather sticking out on her head. :) I just love it. Beautiful photos.
ReplyDelete