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: 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…
Bird of the Week – Sharp-tailed Grouse
With AKM’s permission, Wickersham’s Conscience will post a Bird of the Week very nearly every week here at the Mudflats. This week, it’s a male Sharp-tailed Grouse dancing on a lek outside of Delta Junction, Alaska. Sharp-taileds, like many grouse species, engage in competition with males to win the favor of females. The dance is amazing. The trick is finding a lek. After seven years, WC and Mrs. WC located one this spring. Technical stuff: Canon 1D-X, 300mm lens with a 2.0 teleconverter, handheld; f8, 1/500, ISO800.