"Spring Grouse"

[jonny_redhorse]

One can feel early spring in the air!...patches of bare brown grass in the farm fields from the effects of the spring sun on the snows.... water starting to run in the creeks that have been froze over all winter....here's a grouse I came across enjoying the warmth of the late winter/early spring sun...

[JayinMN]

I have seen a lot of them lately strutting around out on the roads. Pretty soon the drumming will start.

[Dbl]

Looks like maybe a female from that tail. Hope they survived the winter in numbers!

[jonny_redhorse]

Can hardly wait for the drumming!....Great to capture these guys on their drumming logs!....Last year I watched 5 different birds at Carey Lake doing the drumming thing!....makes for some great photos!...tough to actually get em on camera beating their wings....maybe this year!....Here's a few images from last spring of the ruffies on their drumming logs but they have me spotted and aren't thinking of drumming while I'm standing near by....these guys are smart!

[buzzsaw]

Nice work, Jonny! Sure are beautiful birds.

[hendenhook]

Jonny - those are some great shots of a truly wild bird taken where it lives, I always enjoy the images you post of those Ruffs.

[CFRay]

I really like that "rusty" color on the fanned out tail of that ruffie you shot. Thanks. Spring is close ,,,,, I Hope.