Stained Glass

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When photographing this Chickadee it felt like looking into a wonderful stained glass window. This Chickadee was in a dark forest of thorny shrubs with just a hint of light shining in through the golden leaves that still remain on the trees behind. As a bonus we were treated to the choir singing away with a chorus of Dee-Dee-Dees from deeper within these bushes.

Grouse

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A downed tree makes a great place to lookout and survey your territory. We are not sure if this is spruce grouse or a ruffled grouse but it sure is a fine looking grouse and any grouse ID tips you can share would be appreciated. Photographed near, but not quite in, Yellowstone National Park earlier this year.