Tag: canon 100-400mm lens

A Chukar Sentry Abandons Its Post

I’ve never been able to get a Chukar in flight or taking off, largely because they’re so hesitant to fly.  Even when they’re perched on an elevated rock they usually just hop to the ground when they’re ready to leave.  And when they do fly, typical of most upland game birds, they fly very fast, low to the ground and away from you which makes for an almost impossible target. But I got one yesterday morning, taking off.    1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 500, 100-400 @260mm, natural light This bird was acting as a sentry (also called a sentinel) for a small group of other Chukars nearby.  It’s observation perch of choice was a sign post that was high enough that it had to actually fly when it decided to leave.  I was too close to this bird for my 500mm lens so I quickly grabbed my 100-400 zoom lens and when it looked like it might be thinking of taking off I zoomed back far enough to give the Chukar enough room to fly into. I had plenty of light for a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the wings of even this buzz-saw flier (those relatively short wings on such a chunky bird really have to churn to get it airborne) and was lucky enough to catch the wings in a position I like.  A more appealing perch would have been nice but I’m pleased with the way most everything else turned out. Ron

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Snow-hoppin’ Chukar

Chukars typically forage in small flocks and when they do one of them often sits on an elevated perch and serves as a sentry while the others are looking for food.    1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, 100-400 @ 400mm, natural light  This bird chose a pile of snow that had been pushed up high by a snow plow along the edge of a road.      1/3200, f/8, ISO 500, 100-400 @ 400mm, natural light When the rest of the flock wandered off it decided it was time to look for a safe way down from its lofty perch.    1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, 100-400 @ 400mm, natural light  When they do so they’re very deliberate about it.  This bird investigated several pathways down before settling on this direction.  It’s quite a ways down so “he” was pretty careful about it.      1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, 100-400 @ 400mm, natural light Most birds would at least open their wings to soften the landing.  Not Chukars.  I’ve often been impressed by how far they’re willing to free-fall without using their wings.  I sometimes refer to Chukars as “rock-hoppers” – guess I’ll have to add “snow-hoppers” to the list. Since I was using my 100-400mm zoom lens for this sequence I wish I’d had time to back off a bit on the focal length for the jump, but I didn’t.  Consequently I had to add some canvas for composition.  It’s harder to get them in mid-air, sharp and composed well than it looks. Ron

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