Bird of the Week – Sharp-tailed Grouse
The very first Bird of the Week posted here was a Sharp-tailed Grouse, but since we’ve been looking at Alaska’s grouse species the last few weeks, here’s another photo of a male Sharp-tailed Grouse lekking – competing with other males for the attention of a female:
Sharp-tailed Grouse Male, Dancing for the Ladies
The sound effects are pretty impressive, too. The dancing behavior, technically “lekking,” is done in the early morning before the raptors are out and flying around. Which is just as well, because the males aren’t focused on anything but the display and the ladies.
WC admits the composition of this photo leaves a lot to be desired, but this was the first serious bird photo effort with the new camera.
For more bird photos, visit Frozen Feather Images.
Cue ZZ Top they come running past Slipstream’s house,
cuz every girl goes crazy about a sharp-tailed grouse. Not!
Not sure that I care for the purple and yellow-LSU colors,being an iowa Hawkeye fan.
I just love what birds do to impress the ladies! Plumage, bowers, lekking, singing, feeding; all of it. This was a great photo for a first effort, WC, but your work has definitely improved with time! I love visiting your website, and am very pleased you post here. Thanks so much.