Juvenile Dusky Grouse Cock Close-up

A close-up of a juvenile dusky grouse male while displaying and humming on a fallen tree. These birds are in full mating season right now and are a common sight and sound in the mountains. Humming in north Idaho's Selkirk Mountains.

comments (2)

garrylomasphotography

Lion

Great capture Travis...superb detail. I know the Red grouse are very timid and easily spooked...how did you get so close to this one? Posted 10 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Garry! Of the few grouse species I have come across, these dusky grouse seem to be the most tolerant, at least the male juveniles, like this one. I was patient and would advance about a couple meters every 5 minutes or so, leaning against a new tree each time I advanced. He would get real curious about me, and then go back to humming and not really paying attention. Really, just one of those lucky moments in photography, I suppose.
  
  I know what you mean about grouse being very easily spooked. Lately I have been observing a male ruffed grouse on a drumming log. I have spent several hours in all sitting about 7 or 8 meters, dressed fully in camouflage and sitting motionless for hours at a time, waiting for him to hop up onto his drumming log to perform. He has appeared 3 times in all in about 6 hours of sitting, but he sees me every time and leaves immediately. More patience, I suppose! Posted 10 years ago

The Dusky Grouse

The Dusky Grouse is a species of forest-dwelling grouse native to the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is closely related to the Sooty Grouse , and the two were previously considered a single species, the Blue Grouse.

Info 10 1

Similar species: Landfowl

Species identified by travismorhardt