Turkeys, Pheasants, Grouse and Allies (in colour)

This was a favorite for me as you have been able to capture the distinctive air of this wonderful plumage and pose. Having the bird facing the other direction but aware of your presence allowed us to appreciate the tail feathers texture and still see the subtle green of the breast and flared feathers around its head. Great job!

I was excited to see such a wonderful image of a truly exotic subject. The colors are brilliantly reflecting the sunlight, with the ground remaining in shadow. The lighting really draws the eye to the most important aspect of the pheasant. Nice soft background with complimentary colors to frame the subject. All around great job!

I thought this image of a white ptarmigan standing out against the dark lava rock surrounding it was wonderfully done. You have maintained the texture of the bird's feathers without it disappearing in the surrounding dark colors. This is not an easy thing to accomplish sometimes. Wonderful top 10 image.

Despite the fact that I am unable to identify this bird as a member of the genus required for the contest, I fell in love with the image when I first saw it. You have beautifully captured the subject in its environment. This was a favorite for me.

Congratulations! This image is a perfect environmental shot of a Ptarmigan in the cold snowy Canadian Rockies. The subject is clear and crisp as well as perfectly contrasting with the softened snow. The small flakes add to the image without becoming a distraction. Depth of field is right as it should be for an image like this.

This is a wonderful action shot that has perfect focus on both subjects. That is something that is frequently difficult to achieve. Shutter speed could be faster but the birds are in focus and the wing movement adds to the motion that you have captured. Great job.

I loved this image of a Red Grouse set against the heather in bloom. The subject and immediate foreground simply pop with vibrant and complimentary colors. I would have loved to have been there as you patiently waited to get the shot. Congratulations!

Congratulations on a "Top 10"image. You had a couple of different crossings for me to choose from and I felt that this square crop allowed the viewer to appreciate the subject without either crowding or "swimming" in its all important surroundings. Oh how I would love to have been there to capture this perfect light on such an attractive subject.

What sold me on this image was the way the late golden-pink light added dramatic color to an essentially white subject. The balance between the warm light and cool shadows really makes me feel the setting for this beautiful Ptarmigan. Congratulations on a wonderful image.