subscribe 0330 333 1113 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I 24 August 2019 31
Grouse have a relatively consistent plumage and colour
but harsh midday sun is not the most aesthetically
pleasing light in which to work with them. I usually opt for
an overcast day or sunrise and sunset, and shoot in fully
manual settings. Aperture priority can also be a great
option if the light conditions are good, so long as you set
a minimum shutter speed limit and monitor it closely.
When on the ground, grouse do not move too quickly or
erratically so a shutter speed of at least 1/500sec is fine,
but this changes when they take flight. Having a shallow
depth of field will help to isolate your subject from its
surroundings and any distractions, so unless I’m aiming
to show a bird in context of its habitat I usually shoot with
my aperture wide open. This can be increased further by
shooting at eye level with the bird, which usually leads to
less-cluttered images and a better perspective. I’ll often
lie down and shoot through gaps in the foliage to create
a natural frame and help to isolate the subject. A single
autofocus point is imperative when photographing them
on the ground as their surroundings are often heavily
contrasted and textured meaning that a multi-point AF
will usually choose the wrong thing to focus on. Ensure
this lands on the eye rather than body wherever possible.
Shooting advice
August is a great time to
photograph grouse when
the heather is in bloom
Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 700mm,
1/100sec at f/5.6, ISO 125Red grouse are well adapted
to their environment
Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 500mm,
1/1250sec at f/4, ISO 320WILDLIFE WATCH Technique
The majority of these birds can
be found on or around managed
heather moorlands in the UK.
Females and males have
different plumage during the
breeding season but become
more difficult to differentiate
during winter.
l Location Heather moorlands
across England, Wales,
Scotland and Ireland.
l Size Wingspan: 50-65cm;
weight: 600-800g.
l Nest Ground-nesting birds.
l Diet Heather, berries,
insects.
l UK population 450,000+
individuals.About the
red grouse
It’s possible to get great
close-up shots of grouse
Canon EOS-1D Mark II, 1/500sec
at f/6.3, ISO 400