Greater Sage Grouse dancing on a lek

Centrocercus urophasianus, Greater Sage Grouse dancing on a lek (breeding ground)

comments (7)

Ludo Sak

Lion

Now you see me, now you don't:) Nice informative shot. What lens did you use in these shots? Canon or other brand? Posted 6 years ago
1. Tom Reichner
  
  Katipo Spider
  
  I used the Canon 400mm f2.8. These birds are a joy to shoot, although the setup is quite laborious. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ludo Sak
    
    Lion
    
    Wow, that is one nice lens to have! A bit above my budget I'm afraid, but maybe one day:) Are these birds shy too? The dutch kind is very shy and takes off on sighting me a long way off.. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Tom Reichner
      
      Katipo Spider
      
      Yes, Ludo, they are extremely shy. The way I photograph them is to set up a tent right in the middle of the lek. I do this in the early evening. Then I get everything I need,crawl into the tent, and spend the entire night there. The birds from miles around arrive at the lek near dusk, and spend the night there. By getting into the tent before they come, I do not scare them off - plus, I am already in place when the sun comes up and they start lekking. Only way to do it that I know of.
      
      Oddly enough, they are not afraid of the tent (unless it's windy). Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ludo Sak
        
        Lion
        
        Hoho, you take it very seriously. The entire night, wow. With such zoom capabilities it must be captivating. Smart move to setup your site before they arrive, so 'you are part of the furniture' as we tend to state in the Netherlands:) You don't stand out. I can imagine the flapping noise scaring them. Thanks for explaining. I live in the countryside and see grouse frequently. Though they spot me sooner, stop exploring fields and take off. Not that they're good flyers:) Then they are sharp as a knife for some time to come. Difficult indeed. Posted 6 years ago

Joost Thissen

Lion

Never knew a grouse with such a strange look even existed. Thanks for sharing.
Picture is just perfect also with golden morning/evening sun. Posted 6 years ago

Tom Reichner

Katipo Spider

Ludo, Those grouse in the Netherlands, what is their breeding ritual like? Do they gather in large groups to breed, such as our Sage Grouse and Prairie Chickens, or is it more of a solitary pairing off, like our Ruffed Grouse? Posted 6 years ago

The Sage Grouse

The Sage Grouse is the largest grouse in North America, where it is known as the Greater Sage-Grouse. Its range is sagebrush country in the western United States and southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. A population of smaller birds, known in the U.S. as Gunnison Sage-Grouse, were recently recognized as a separate species. The Mono Basin population of Sage Grouse may also be distinct.

Adults have a long, pointed tail and legs with feathers to the toes. Adult males have a yellow.. more

Info 1 1

Similar species: Chicken-like Birds

Species identified by Tom Reichner

By Tom Reichner

Uploaded Oct 5, 2012. Captured Apr 23, 2010 06:18.

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Canon EOS 50D
f/4.0
1/1000s
ISO400
560mm