A long, wet, cold hike in a thunderstorm is worthwhile (at least for me) to get to see these:
(Photographed at the upper end of Spring Creek in the Cabinet Mountains just below Bighole Peak where the colors of fall are already beginning to show.)
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You must have been silent as a statue to get those shots. These guys are usually spooked at the slightest sound or movement. What treasures those pictures are!
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Comment by Cedar — August 20, 2008 @ 4:44 am
adorable fella’!
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Comment by Sumedh — August 20, 2008 @ 8:53 am
Cedar,
There were about a dozen in the family and most flew (startling both me and my dog). This one froze, depending on her camouflage, not realizing the background in that exact spot wasn’t right. You’re right, I do treasure these photos! This is a bird that would never be seen from a drivable road.
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Comment by montucky — August 20, 2008 @ 9:11 am
Sumedh,
I love to see them, especially this close, and always marvel at their ability to make a good living in a very harsh environment. This location is lush with plant life this time of year and there are a dozen species of berry bushes all loaded with fruit. In another two or three months, it will be under ten feet of snow, and the grouse has survived and flourished for thousands of years there. At the same time it should be said that “civilization” would quickly eradicate them.
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Comment by montucky — August 20, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Ahhhh….nature. Perfect!
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Comment by Tabbie — August 20, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
Pretty things, aren’t they!
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Comment by montucky — August 20, 2008 @ 7:43 pm