20110907

Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)

With the game shooting season upon us, I thought I would try to capture a series of images of Red-legged Partridges. Although the local shoot is a mix of reared and wild birds, all of these images are of the latter, all but the first secured by lying down for long periods in the gap between lines of maize grown as a cover crop. While it's a shame the Red-legged or French Partridge now prevails so, with declining numbers of our own English or Grey Partridge, it is, I think, nevertheless an attractive bird and – inclined to gather in large coveys on the ground – a very sociable one too.

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/1,300th sec, f/5.6, 400mm at ISO 800

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/1,000th sec, f/5.6, 400mm at ISO 500
Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/500th sec, f/5.6, 400mm at ISO 500



Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/400th sec, f/5.6, 400mm at ISO 500

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM lens, 1/1,000th sec, f/5.6, 400mm at ISO 500


6 comments:

  1. I think all Partridge are odd looking birds. Great shots Tim, I hope you didn't get cold whilst waiting?

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  2. Hi Toffeeapple. Not cold, no, but I did realise too late that I had laid down in something pretty horrid. I know what you mean about the partridge's odd features, but their 'cousins' the pheasants have them beat I think.

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  3. excellent images Tim. Almost worth lying in something horrid to get 'em :-)

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  4. These are excellent images of the Red-legged that is normally very difficult to photograph Tim.
    Not many of our Grey Partridge around now. I do see one or two small coveys occasionally, but the most I have seen in recent years where out in darkest Norfolk

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  5. Oh Tim, what Superb images! And what a GORGEOUS bird!!

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