As we were rounding a curve, three large birds ran to the side of the road and up a bank.
My husband got out, thinking they were partridge, but then motioned for me to come with my camera....
I climbed the bank and snuck up on the birds.......
And saw THIS:
Here is a close up of the bird's (ahem!) behind:
Have you guessed yet what it is????Here is one more picture to help you.
He thinks he is hiding from me!
(Silly bird!):
Look at her pretty face!:
They are known for being kind of dumb, because they don't scare very easily for hunters. 
I think he is rather handsome!:
It was great seeing them out there in the woods, I hope you enjoyed meeting them too.
You guessed it.
It is a Spruce Grouse.
I think this is the male and not the hen, because he has some red above his eye.
Do you see it?:
They are known for being kind of dumb, because they don't scare very easily for hunters.
But, I am glad they didn't....
because it allowed me to photograph them:
I think he is rather handsome!:
Even from the back!
(If you look close, there are two birds in this photo...there is another one on the far right):
(The picture is a tiny bit blurry, sorry!)
(The picture is a tiny bit blurry, sorry!)
So, I thanked him and headed back to the car.
(I think he was looking up what I said in his Bird-English translating dictionary when I last saw him)....
It was great seeing them out there in the woods, I hope you enjoyed meeting them too.
Love them! Reminds me of the cute pair of ducks we had visiting our patio for a while; they were not afraid and loved the food. Wish I had had my awesome camera at the time. Keep it up photo/nature whisperer! :)
ReplyDeleteSuch good pictures of a spruce goose --I could just barely see the red above his eye. I like that he was trying to hide from you!
ReplyDeletevickie
Awesome photos of the grouse, the detail is fantastic. How nice of them to stay around for a photo session. I especially like the close up, she seems to be asking you to 'get my good side'.
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never seen a sprucr goose! How very cool!
ReplyDeleteInsanity Kim: I was so happy to capture them as they were on my "I haven't gotten a picture of them yet" list. :-)
ReplyDeleteVickie: I was very glad to get photos of them...they are not seen a lot here.
SquirrelQueen: They kept running just out of reach, hiding behind trees..I had to track them a while through some brush, but then I got them!
Eva: They are known for being kind of dumb for hunters, thus they are protected here from hunting. Not so for the partridge, which scares much more easily and tastes soooo good! ha
Beautiful pictures of the Grouse. I do think that is the male.. He's gorgeous!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
What a pretty bird! Have never seen one.
ReplyDeleteThis really is a beautiful bird. I've never seen one before. I wish there was a better variety of birds close to the city where I am, but I've only seen robins recently. I'm glad I have something, but I'd like to see something like the one you have here.
ReplyDeleteYep, I was going to say a Spruce Grouse. You see many of those up north by you. They are not very good eating though. Just thought I would let you know that. LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. They are rather fancy looking birds!
really a beautiful bird...but i never would have guessed it...i am bird dumb!
ReplyDeleteWe saw grouse on one of our hikes this fall, and they were indeed beautiful. I only got one or two shots, nothing like these. Absolutely scrumptious. Yes, they are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful bird find!! What are you going to name him? I want to keep him.
ReplyDeleteYou're a real (photo) hunter! I liked your series about this (dumb?) bird very much. You made me smile reading your words. I have no knowledge about birds to much :)
ReplyDeleteSusanne
I surprised myself by guessing he was a grouse! I don't believe I've ever seen one in person! Boy, do I envy that camera!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Yes, they are very calm around people. Don and I came across some off F.R.16 by Mass City once that were DRUNK from eating rotten apples. They wouldn't get out of the road for anything. We literally had to get out of the truck and kick them off the road. Hilarious. And of course-NO CAMERA. Sigh. We should have them permanently attached to us!
ReplyDeleteYou've been busy!!! I'm so glad that you have been able to get these shots! I might not see these elusive birds otherwise! And I hear you guys have had some 60 degree days!!! Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteBetsy: Thanks! Once you see that bright red above his eye, you can tell the sexes apart.
ReplyDeleteGinnymo: I thought maybe in your area you would have these birds..they are usually where you can find partridge, too...do you have partridge?
Ratty: Don't worry, spring will be here before you know it, and you will get tons of birds coming through there again! And your geese will be back, too!
DVM's Wife: I know! My hubby accidently got one of them one year (thinking it was a partridge) and you are correct..they do not taste very good. I guess their numbers are decreasing where we live from years ago. (Probably from accidental shootings like what happened with us!) ha
Brian: I have just gotten into bird watching over the last three years and am really enjoying it. If someone would have told me that ten years ago, I would have laughed at them. ha
DJan: It would be neat to walk up on them during a hike, we have never done that before!
Shelley: You are so funny. Name them? Maybe Dumb and Dumber. ha They don't scare very easily (thus the photos I was lucky to get). ha
Susanne: I can't wait to visit my daughter in Florida to get some bird shots down there...they have the MOST beautiful birds EVER there...I would be going crazy if I were you. I don't know the names of the southern birds though...but I would love to learn!! We just got into bird watching a few years ago and now I love seeing different kinds of them.
Ramblin Mama: they are so neat to see in person, because they are HUGE birds and I love the feathering on them.
Sue: How hilarious! I would love to have seen them drunk. I have heard that some grosbeak's do that on fermented fruit, but I hadn't heard that about grouse.
Cathy: Yes, we have had some gorgeous weather..but I am sure the deer hunters are awaiting snow. You know the U.P., wait five minutes and it will change. ha I have tried to take advantage of it and get out in the woods now, before the snow (and the deer hunting season!) ha
Great photos. We do not have grouse nearby, too many cats, 'n rats, 'n elephunts (well, fishers, foxes, actually).
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a grouse. But a little to big. Oh well that's my best guess. It is so great to be back. Thanks for sticking with me through the move. I sure missed my blogger friends and you always made me feel as though things were normal.
ReplyDeleteJenn: We actually have foxes,wolves and fishers too...but somehow these dumb birds survive. ha
ReplyDeleteCarol: Yep, it is in the grouse family, but not the kind we eat. I am so glad you are settling into your new space...I will be checking your blog as always, my friend!
I think he was showing off for you.
ReplyDeleteGrannyann: If so, I owe him some thanks, because he was a looker. ha
ReplyDeleteGreat job, as a painter of landscapes I enjoy seeing your photographs.
ReplyDeleteA.J.: Thanks so much! If you ever want to paint one of my photos, I would think that is great! Just let me know in case you need me to send you a copy on your e-mail without my signature watermark. All I would ask is that if you label the back somewhere that the painting was inspired by a photograph and my name.
ReplyDeleteAnother blogger has already done that, which is great.