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 Spring time Chukar - Nikon D300, f13, 1/320, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light Some of the wildflowers have started to bloom on Antelope Island State Park, I have looked forward to them. I liked that this Chukar (Alectoris chukar) perched on a rock where a few of the wildflowers were visible. Mia More Chukar images            Female Dusky Grouse - Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 242mm, natural light, not baited I photographed this female Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus) while up in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Dusky Grouse were once considered “Blue Grouse” and some folks still call them that. This hen was traveling in a small flock of four to five birds as I recall and they were feeding right at the edge of a two lane road. They didn’t appear to be the least bit timid and I was able to take a series of images of them before moving down the curvy mountain road. I hope to photograph them again sometime in the future. Mia  Yesterday I was focused on photographing this Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) that was perched on a boulder with the Great Salt Lake below it in the background. I had nice light, a lovely setting plus the bird seemed more interested in singing than my presence.  Western Meadowlark on a boulder - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light Western Meadowlarks are beautiful songsters and their call is one that makes me think of cool spring mornings and how much I enjoy my early morning journeys into the natural world. They are handsome birds too. As I focused this bird I noticed some movement at the bottom of my viewfinder, there was a large tan, out of focus blob that appeared to be moving towards the Meadowlark. It was a little confusing at first until I moved the viewfinder away from my eyes a bit and saw a Chukar (Alectoris chukar) moving up towards the same boulder the Meadowlark was singing from.  Chukar climbing down a boulder I - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light The Chukar was so close that I had to very quickly back up my zoom to fit the whole bird in. It was about the same moment the Chukar noticed our presence and it started moving down the boulder towards the grasses instead of making the climb to the top.  Chukar climbing down a boulder II - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light I didn’t have time to change my exposure compensation which had been set for the Meadowlark perched with the blue of the Great Salt Lake behind it and I knew that these images might be slightly over exposed. Fortunately I was able to reduce the exposure in ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) easily. I could tell I loved the background through my viewfinder, the large boulder was far enough away that I didn’t need to worry about it being in focus but it still showed the lovely colors and textures of the rock.  Chukar climbing down a boulder III - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light The Chukar didn’t seem to be in a great hurry so I was able to get a series of images as it carefully made its way down the boulder. I liked that I could see the red legs, spurs and dark toenails in this frame.  Chukar climbing down a boulder IV - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light As the bird moved closer to the ground I noticed how fresh it plumage was and the beautiful but subtle coloration along the back and wings.  Chukar climbing down a boulder V - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 285mm, natural light Had I not seen that moving, tan blob beyond my viewfinder I could have easily missed being able to create these Chukar images. Sure, I have hundreds (if not thousands) of Chukar images but I am always looking for different poses, light conditions and settings to photograph my subjects in and this worked out very well. Mia  More signs of spring…. There is a storm coming in soon that might bring snow to the valley but I don’t think the Chukars on Antelope Island care about that one bit. Their behavior indicates that the males are already acting territorial.  Chukar with the Wasatch Range in the background - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light Looking at the Chukar (Alectoris chukar) above one wouldn’t think that they are aggressive. They seem fairly docile foraging for seeds in the grasses or perched on a rock calling. But during breeding season they can be fierce, aggressive and downright mean. I am not happy with the quality of the images below because there was just too much vegetation in the way to get clear views of the fighting but despite that I wanted to share them. Hopefully I will get another ring-side seat one day soon where I can get great views of the sparring match.  Chukars fighting We came upon these Chukars after the battle had already started, in this image you can see two males in the center having a go at it. The bird in the right hand side of the middle has the other birds throat feathers in its bill and is tugging on them. It may have the skin of the bird in its bill too. The other two birds just seemed to observe the fighting.  Chukars fighting In this image one of the males has pinned the other down on the ground. I sure wish all the grasses hadn’t been in the way.  Chukars fighting This image shows the winner of the round standing more erect than the loser, the loser is looking at the other bird with its bill slightly open.  Chukars fighting The two birds that were watching the fighting may be females, the males usually do not just defend the nesting territory, they also chase intruding males away from them. These three birds were on the closer side of the rabbitbrush and another birds can just be barely made out on the other side of it.  Chukars fighting It didn’t take long for the dominant male to kick the other male to the dirt. He also has some of the losers feathers in his bill. I’d love to spend more time with sparring Chukars, hopefully out in the open where I can get sharper images with far fewer distracting elements but I am still thrilled to have seen and photographed this action today. Mia More Chukar images  Lately I have been seeing more Chukars (Alectoris chukar) than I have through the winter when the Rough-legged Hawks were in the area in large numbers. Rough-legged Hawks primarily eat Lemmings on their breeding grounds and vole when they are not but they will also eat rabbits, ground squirrels and birds year round. So perhaps with fewer Roughies the Chukars feel safer to forage more out in the open. I thought I would share a few older images along with some taken this past week.  Chukar walking through Sagebrush - Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/125, ISO 320, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 333mm, natural light Chukars are not native to North America, they were introduced as game birds and in some areas they have thrived, one of those locations is Antelope Island State Park in northern Utah. Chukars in the western United States can be found in various habitats including wide open grassland prairies, steep slopes up to 8,200 feet in elevation, brushy canyons, hillsides with loose rocks and boulders and in amongst low bushes and on the island I often spot them in Sagebrush. I simply adore the spicy, astringent aroma of Sagebrush.  Chukar in grasses - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light Chukars cluck like chickens so there are occasions when I hear them coming before I see them. With their pale buffy, tan and grey coloration they can blend in very easily with their habitat, even the black stripes on their flanks can be mistaken for shadows in the grasses.  Chukar wing flap - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light I often call Chukars “Rock Hoppers” because in the spring I see them hopping from the ground on to the tops of rocks and boulders to call. Other times the Chukars on top of the rocks appear to be sentinel birds, there to warn the other foraging birds of danger from predators. Even on the top of rocks and boulders they can be hard to spot, thankfully I have excellent long distance vision which usually serves me well because frequently I see birds long before anyone else.  Chukar on snowy hilltop - Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 400, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light These birds do stand out well against snow and blue bird skies, though it is not often that I find them in those conditions. I am very fond of the series of images I took along with the frame above, the Chukar looks vibrant against the snow covered rocks and the clear blue of the sky.  Chukar on the rocks - Nikon D300, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light The grasses have begun to push green shoots from the ground here and the Chukars are calling more often from the tops of the rocks and I have witnessed a few skirmishes between the males. They will be nesting before too long. Mia More Chukar images  |
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© 2012 Mia McPherson - All Rights Reserved, all images are protected by International Copyright Law, do not use, print, reproduce or download my images without my permission. Log in |
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