Two male Greater-Sage Grouse facing off at sunrise – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/3200, ISO 6400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
March is a time when my mind wanders to windswept, high country sagebrush steppes where Greater-Sage Grouse will dance, fight and court on their leks as they have done for eons. The pops and whistles that males make when they inflate their yellow air sacs may sound odd but I think the sounds are incredible.
Have a listen here and you’ll also hear some Horned Larks and a Western Meadowlark as well.
People should arrive at leks well before the sun rises otherwise the grouse can be disturbed and will fly away.
The courtship of these grouse begins before the sun rises and practically all that can be seen at that time is the white feathers of the males necks and chests in the low light. After dawn the activity on the leks can be easily seen and it is mesmerizing.
Displaying Greater-Sage Grouse males – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 6400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Greater-Sage Grouse males will face off, spar, fight, and battle for the right to mate with the females. They will also strut, dance and puff up their chests to attract the hens.
Calling Greater-Sage Grouse male – Nikon D810, f8, 1/800, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Greater-Sage Grouse hens watch the males perform their courtship displays on the leks and they decide which male they want to mate with.
Male Greater-Sage Grouse on a lek in the early morning – Nikon D810, f8, 1/800, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The grouse are sagebrush obligates which means they depend on the sage to live. During the winter they eat the sagebrush to survive until new spring growth appears.
The gas and oil industries have impacted the grouse populations. That is a fact. Just recently though a judge in Idaho canceled leases for oil and gas production on our public lands which is a win for these charismatic upland game birds and the other sagebrush obligates who depend on the sagebrush sea to survive.
Judge cancels oil and gas leases on some sage grouse lands in Nevada, Utah and Wyoming – Denver Post
Judge Voids Trump Oil and Gas Lease Sales on Nearly 1 Million Acres of Sage Grouse Habitat – Center for Biological Diversity
HUGE WIN for Sage-grouse! Nearly 1 million acres of sage grouse habitat saved from the oil and gas industry! – Western Watersheds Project
Judge Tosses Oil and Gas Leases on Nearly One Million Acres of Public Lands – EcoWatch
Male Greater-Sage Grouse with his chest puffed up – Nikon D810, f8, 1/400, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I am aching to get up into the high country to photograph Greater-Sage Grouse again and I plan to do that very soon. I’d love to add some photos of these grouse dancing on a snow-covered lek to my galleries.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Greater Sage-Grouse photos plus facts and information about this species.
Terrific shots of the Greater Sage-Grouse anchored by your excellent [ and for me…very informative] narrative. Thanks Mia.
Excellent series of photos!!! I’m looking forward for an opportunity to photograph Greater-Sage Grouse. Very interesting and beautiful birds! I’m glad for the efforts being made to protect their habitat.
I remember when my friend and I turned a corner on a trail and came upon a courting grouse, all puffed up like these guys. We were so excited but he took off. The photos are great and I am glad you included the sound recordings, very interesting.
Wonderful photos. I like listening to the sound as I read. I would still like to see the sharp tailed grouse.
I am glad at least one judge has sense!
Even on screen it is mesmerising.
I am so very glad that judge (as so many don’t) came down on the side of justice rather than money.
Spectacular series of photographs, Mia! Thank you for the additional information on the Sage Grouse. Really interesting.
Yay for the judge!!! 🙂 These are marvelous shots, Mia. I’d love to be able to see — and hear — the displays in person. Thank you for including the sound link so I could get a little avian orchestra performance this morning. 🙂
Incredible photos, Mia