Ruffed Grouse in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f8, 1/200, ISO 1600, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
A Ruffed Grouse in the shadows of the mountain peaks to the east was my best bird on a cool autumn morning yesterday. When I spotted the grouse, I was elated.
Ruffed Grouse have been a nemesis bird for me and my only photos of them have been purely documentary. A while back I did see one fly across a road about 3 or 4 miles from the location where I found this one yesterday. I couldn’t photograph that grouse because I was driving down the road. It sure looked pretty through my windshield. Another time I spotted a grouse but couldn’t get to it in time to take high quality images of it.
Ruffed Grouse head on look – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This Ruffed Grouse made me giggle out loud yesterday because it was moving so slowly across the road.
I didn’t have good light, I couldn’t get the best angle on the grouse, and it didn’t matter to me.
This Ruffed Grouse in my viewfinder gave me joy. The only thing that would have been better was to share the grouse with a friend, especially if it were a lifer bird for them.
Ruffed Grouse walking across a dirt road – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This grouse will grow projections off the sides of its toes in winter, making them look like combs. The projections are believed to act as snowshoes to help the grouse walk across snow.
Autumn Ruffed Grouse – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The grouse practically crawled across the road, it almost appeared to be walking in slow motion. It knew I was there but didn’t seem to be bothered by my presence.
Ruffed Grouse a minute before good light – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 1250, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the grouse walked to where I could no longer photograph it because of the angle of my Jeep I remembered that this species can be very approachable. I grabbed my cell phone, exited my vehicle, and thought about taking photos with it. Then I decided to take a video with it instead.
I guess I got grouse fever because I nearly twisted my ankle on a loose rock I wasn’t paying attention to a few seconds into the video. Then when the grouse ran up the hill I forgot I was even taking the video and didn’t have my cell phone pointed at the bird when I said “Aren’t you pretty!” and finally I forgot to turn off the video right away. It is what it is though and I decided not to edit the video at all. I can laugh at myself and still feel great.
I see the most amazing things in the field. Yesterday this Ruffed Grouse was just one of them.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see my Ruffed Grouse photos plus facts and information about this species.
Stills with a bonus cellphone clip? How cool is that? The grouse is gorgeous. Great shots! Thanks Mia.
Wonderful find! Thursday when I took Guardsman Way I had a group of 6 in the middle of the road, two were fighting. I had to stop or else run them over. They paid no attention to the huge car baring down on them. The car behind me got mad I was stopped in a narrow section with little wiggle room to pass. When he went to pass he saw them too and stopped a bit in front of my car with the grouse between our vehicles. He got out to take a cell phone photo. When a car came the other way the grouse went under my parked car! I had to have the motorist who had stopped to take the cell phone shots shoo them out so I could drive on. I took a few images but the birds were too close for my telephoto lens. I have not processed or posted them, I will have to go over them soon.
Mia, these shots are great and what a handsome bird. Sure wish I could find some like yours!!
Definitely a lifer for me. I loved hearing your voice too. Thank you.
What a gorgeous bird! Plain but still gorgeous. Thank you for the video & the photos.