Spruce Grouse ( Lake County )

[Borealhunter]

I was guiding this morning and ran into some spruce grouse on the Whyte Road. Three of them were males and one female. The grouse were easily approached using the car as a blind. I am was so pumped the photos turned out pretty good. I always wanted a good photo of Spruce Grouse.

To get there from Ely:

Hwy 1 heading east and go pass the Lake County Rd 2 intersection. Right before the small community of Isabella on your right side is the Stoney River Road ( SRR ). Head south on SRR and the Whyte Rd will be on your left side. Go about .5 miles and the grouse were on the road. Some times the grouse are on SRR right before the Whyte Rd. A Great Gray Owl was seen on the Whyte Rd about 1.3 miles from the SRR. There was also a Hawk Owl just north of the Whyte Rd on the SRR about 2.5 - 3.0 miles.

Thanks so much for the nice comments on the photos!!

[life=outdoors92]

when i hunt ruffed grouse i often run into to these tame little guys. u can get so close to them without them getting scared. just like a pheasant. Awesome picture!

[Birdsong]

Oh my gosh, that's a beautiful photo!

[JayinMN]

Beautiful shot Mike, I think that is one of your best yet!

[Jim Almquist]

Beautiful shot Mike, I think that is one of your best yet!

I have to agree

The background and having him feeding on that branch just makes this shot. I guess I am assuming he was feeding but when ever I see Grouse in trees or shrubs that it what they are usually doing.

[Dbl]

Very nice looking shot!

[finnbay]

Great lookin' shot! I agree with Jim, the red catkins in the background really make the grouse pop out atcha!

[Finns]

Beautiful pic! On a side note, has anyone seen any moose in that area?

[JayinMN]

Nope, haven't seen any moose just their tracks.

[Nymph]

Stunning shot!

[Borealhunter]

There was a moose sighting by a birder friend of mind who was up on this road last week. This week he reported two red foxes and a timber wolf.

Thanks again for all the nice remarks on the grouse photo. Thank you thank you!

Mike