We caught each other by surprise this afternoon. Both walking quietly through the woods me on the trail he through the brush. Once we eyed each other I reached for the camera and got a quick photo. Head held high gave me the once over before quickly flying off into the woods. A quick and satisfying encounter for me and given I was not a hunter for him as well.
For the first time in the 29 summers we’ve lived here, the woods were silent of the drumming of ruffed grouse. I’m hoping it was just the bad winter last year and a one-off season, but disturbing nonetheless. We missed them.
LikeLike
Hi Eliza, we hope it was just a bad year for the grouse in your area we have seen a few this fall but not in the amount we have in the past.
LikeLike
Thanks, me, too.
LikeLike
Amazing camouflage!
LikeLike
It is pretty cool how evolution works all the way down to the last feather. Hop your having a wonderfull week.
LikeLike
Oh how I love to see this bird, so difficult to spot, and not abundant. I have done some pretty crazy things trying to just see this magnificent bird, so this photo was a big treat, thanks Mike.
LikeLike
HI Jet, well heres to good luck find a few next time you go out looking but…avoid the crazy stuff. Hope your week is off to wonderful start.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Wolf's Birding and Bonsai Blog.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing with your readers.
LikeLike
Nice you got a fleeting look and lovely capture of this beauty. Thanks for adding info about their likely habitat shift.
LikeLike
Thanks Ellen, we never seem to get a prolonged view of these birds. It would be a pity for them to disappear from our region.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it would be a pity–so many consequences throughout our ecosystems. We get excited to see new bird species in our area but need to acknowledge that it likely means that some factor isn’t as welcoming to another species that previously thrived here.
LikeLike
That is a good observation, We have regular blue jays being observed in our area. An occurrence that is very new and probably related to habitat loss in other places.
LikeLiked by 1 person