What is this??

RxForB3 · Jun 4, 2012

Saw this little guy on the side of the road today. What IS this? It looked like it was doing a mating call or something. It would puff itself up then let out this low almost croaking sound. Very interesting bird! Wish I had obtained better photos. I'm still on the fence about this Sigma Bigma. I just can't seem to get very sharp photos though I'm not sure if it's me or the lens.

IMG_8386 by RxForB3, on Flickr

IMG_8387 by RxForB3, on Flickr

IMG_8383 by RxForB3, on Flickr

RxForB3 · Jun 4, 2012

And just for fun: I also ran into (figuratively, not literally thankfully) this on the side of the road. He/she was looking right at me, framed perfectly with the flowers, but unfortunately turned their head right as I took the shot! It didn't help that the shutter speed was 1/50 second even at f/4.

IMG_8460 by RxForB3, on Flickr

WesternGuy · Jun 4, 2012

Rx, the bird looks like a Dusky Grouse - not 100 percent sure, but it is the closest I can come. You are right, this is a typical mating display for these birds and other types of grouse as well. These are neat shots, thanks for sharing.
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WesternGuy

Infinite_Day · Jun 4, 2012

WesternGuy was close and maybe correct if Dusky Grouse is another name for the Blue Grouse which is what it appears to be. I knew it was some sort of grouse but I had to look that one up because I'm on the other side of the country and we don't get those here. Beautiful bird. Most of the Ruffed Grouse which we have are being extirpated in my area. Rare to see one.

Joel_W · Jun 4, 2012

Being from Long Island, I have absolutely no idea as to the species of bird it maybe. But it's sure a nice set. Too bad the Deer turned it's head just when you took the picture, as the snout is blocked by that bush.

baturn · Jun 4, 2012

The deer is an elk.

Jaemie · Jun 4, 2012

RxForB3 said:
I'm still on the fence about this Sigma Bigma. I just can't seem to get very sharp photos though I'm not sure if it's me or the lens.

IMG_8386 by RxForB3, on Flickr

Grousing about the sharpness? What were your settings? I can't read the exif data on this photo. The exposure seems pretty good, though, considering the conditions.

WesternGuy · Jun 4, 2012

Infinite_Day said:
WesternGuy was close and maybe correct if Dusky Grouse is another name for the Blue Grouse which is what it appears to be. I knew it was some sort of grouse but I had to look that one up because I'm on the other side of the country and we don't get those here. Beautiful bird. Most of the Ruffed Grouse which we have are being extirpated in my area. Rare to see one.

It would appear that they are one and the same, although even the "experts" don't seem to be able to agree - Dendragapus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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WesternGuy

RxForB3 · Jun 4, 2012

I learn a lot from this forum, and not just about photography! I think I scared my girlfriend half to death with the quick turn around I made on the mountain road, but it was well worth it to photo the grouse.

Jaemie, you can click on the photos which should take you to flickr. Once there, just choose "Action," "View Exif." In the meantime, here's the shot info:

Focal Length: 191mm
Shutter Speed: 1/160
ISO: 100
Aperture: 7.1

In hindsight, a higher ISO probably would have been very useful. Even 400 would have given me a 1/640 shutter speed, which probably would have been sufficient to prevent any motion blur. The Sigma "Bigma" lens has no image stabilization, and the size makes it difficult to wield handheld.

Ouch about the pun, though.

mjhoward · Jun 4, 2012

That's crazy corn-arm turkey! He has a dam corn cob for an arm. Now give him some candy!

Jaemie · Jun 4, 2012

RxForB3 said:
The Sigma "Bigma" lens has no image stabilization, and the size makes it difficult to wield handheld.

Ouch about the pun, though.

I see. Oh and, I forgot I could just go to your Flickr and get the exif there.

dennisT · Jun 5, 2012

Don't hesitate to go up to 800 iso if necessary - and if you can crunch a speed in excess of 1/500s the image stabilisation should be off anyway. Looking at your results I would suggest that at even 1/250s the shots would have been much sharper and this should have been achievable with f6.3 (all that you require for bird shots) and iso 200 - I guess!!