Male Greater Sage-Grouse on a cold March morning – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 2000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Two months ago today I was photographing Greater Sage-Grouse displaying on their lek in 21°F weather in Wayne County, Utah. I was mesmerized by the courtship displays I saw in front of me and in awe of these large upland game birds, their history, and my personal concerns about their future.
Yesterday the BLM and U.S Forest Service plans were announced that will hopefully provide protection for Greater Sage-Grouse and by way of those protections the rest of the inhabitants of the sagebrush steppe.
Here are a few articles about those plans:
U.S. to Limit Petroleum Drilling on Habitat of Greater Sage Grouse
Western states decry Obama plan to save greater sage grouse – Utah’s Bishop calls scheme a federal land grab
I find it interesting that Wyoming is on board with these plans but Utah’s Congressmen Rob Bishop thinks this is a “federal land grab”. Bishop is trying to grab that land from the federal government and wasting Utah tax dollars in the process not the other way around. Pot kettle Bishop? There are those of us who see right through that cow manure.
This Greater Sage-Grouse lek was here before you Bishop and we will fight to make sure it is there long after you leave office.
I don’t know if these protections will be enough but I think this is good news for the Greater Sage-Grouse, the sagebrush steppe, and the other animals that call it home.
I figure Bishop and his minions will file a law suit about this plan. Just because they can and certainly not because it is right.
But the tide is changing and more people are willing to fight for what is right and not as many now that will openly fight to destroy public lands.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Greater Sage-Grouse photos plus facts and information about this species.
LOVELY PHOTO!
Wonderful news. Hopefully the politicians greedy grab of his own will fail. Which once it wouldn’t have. Most of us are moving in the right direction. Slowly.
And, as you know, a simply stunning image.
Beautiful shot…love the regal pose and the softly mounded vegetation. Sounds like Utah’s Rob Bishop is one of those morons we now have “representing” us in office!!! That kind doesn’t get it…either because they’re too stupid, too greedy or both….usually both…and too shortsighted. I wonder why so many of these guys are so dumb…..
I think so many politicians are so ignorant and short-sighted because the people who vote them in are too.
Incredible image of very beautiful and spectacular bird. Handsome and proud. Long may he enjoy his home! This beautiful image says so much Mia. THANK YOU as always.
Thanks Mia,
We can only hope the plan holds together in Utah through all of Bishops Blather. His BS would better serve a greenhouse than the sagebrush steepe.
Beautiful, a proud bird.