All of these Greater Sage-Grouse images were taken at a windswept lek in south-central Utah in 2015. I have shared closer images of the grouse before. Today I wanted to share photos of them that showed more of the habitat.
During the breeding season, male Greater Sage-Grouse gather in communal display areas known as leks to perform an elaborate courtship ritual. The males strut and dance around the lek, trying to attract the attention of the females, who quietly observe from the sidelines.
Mating Greater Sage-Grouse on a lek – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Once a female has chosen a mate, the two will perform a brief courtship dance before mating. The female will then lay her eggs in a shallow depression in the ground, and the male will continue to display at the lek, trying to attract other females.
The Greater Sage-Grouse courtship display is one of nature’s great spectacles. To be there, to see, and hear them displaying on the lek is incredibly fascinating. For me, it felt magical to be with the grouse.
Greater Sage-Grouse after mating – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The wild and windswept lek where I photographed these grouse is part of the Sagebrush Sea or Great Basin, which spans over 400,000 square miles in Western North America. It features high-elevation deserts, rugged mountain ranges, and vast sagebrush steppe.
Morning light on a Greater Sage-Grouse lek – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This unique ecosystem supports diverse flora and fauna, such as pronghorn antelope, mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, mountain lions, and various bird species, including sage grouse, golden eagles, and burrowing owls. The sagebrush plant, dominating much of the sagebrush steppe, provides critical habitat for many animals, while other plants like bitterbrush, rabbitbrush, and wildflowers also thrive here.
Male Greater Sage-Grouse courtship display on a lek – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Greater Sage-Grouse lek is a marvel of nature. It is a reminder of the incredible adaptations that animals can make to survive in even the harshest of environments. The sagebrush sea and the Greater Sage-Grouse that inhabit it are forever embedded in my memory.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Greater Sage-Grouse photos plus facts and information about this species.
These shots, combined with your narrative, are absolutely wonderful. Thanks Mia
Someday would love to see this in the field! Thanks for sharing these moments.
Fascinating! Learned a lot, thanks.
These males are all so handsome. I’m glad I’m not a lady Greater Sage-Grouse — I don’t know that I could choose.
Almost a mystical encounter. I went back and enjoyed your earlier post– back to when I commented on more than 5 years ago. My only encounter with the species was an empty lek. Our birding group (in NW Colorado) got out VERY early and did everything right, but they never showed up.
Beautiful shapes in the male’s displays. What nature dreams up amazes.—Jeri Spann