Sharp-tailed Grouse

Spent day on a grouse lek photographing, returned home with over 650 pictures and had to spend more time going thru the photos trying to pick out the best then I did shooting the pictures.
Had about 40 males show up on the lek but no females so breeding season must be starting to wind down. Even with no females to impress they did their dances and attacked any other male that entered their chunk of praire.

GREAT PICS, Tray !!

Thanks for sharing.

Yes
Great pics

Wicked pictures man!!!!!

Nice pics! Our ruffies are starting to sound off here pretty good.

I like the way they all start and stop dancing at the same time. The refuge has blinds you can go set in and they are with in feet of you. I have not been for a few years. I should go again.

great pics..

That is cool! Great pics too. Thanks for sharing. Never seen one of those except for pics.

Superb pics!

But, I think their "rutt" hasn't started yet?
Females should show up soon.

Stunning pictures. Thank you for sharing

3rd picture down- look at those battle scars on the birds breast feathers.

Thanks for sharing your days work with us.

Please go back and water proof your pictures on here, there should be something in Jonathans archives in the way he did it.

Nice

I actually think it’s starting to wind down here, getting to be less birds on the leks every day and the males aren’t sticking around as late.

Superb!
Thanks for sharing.

Awesome photos! Love the one with blood on his feathers. The look in his eyes says “your gonna pay for that!”.

In the U.P., the Partridge there are not scared of humans. Often walking across a path or road right in front of you.

Very nice pics.

Bird was in rough shape, some of the fights get fairly intense.