Tuesday 27 March 2018

Grouse in the field

I come across grouse all the time in our forest. That familiar flash of feathers, flapping, and drumming of wings.

They fly, with great speed, far away.

I seldom see them long enough for a photo. I've seen them in the sumac trees, but quite a distance away.


We had one chased into the window by our sharp-shinned hawk. [The Medicine Wheel, my grouse, our new friend]

On our drive [Mar. 23 – Another adventure], we were shocked: we saw a grouse sitting on the side of the road.



grouse from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

One of those serendipitous moments. I just happened to look out in the back and spotted a bird, about the size of our ubiquitous mourning doves. I have such a hard time focusing with my graduated lenses. The video camera is quite a trick for me. No time for a tripod, either!
I realized there were two.

Grouse from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

4 comments:

Olga said...

It is so difficult to capture a glimpse of these birds for me. I here them and am so startled that by the time I calm myself they are long gone. Thanks for sharing your video capture!

Karen said...

We have a pair that lollygag on the side of our road. Occasionally if you stop to look at them, they will approach. I'm thankful that people on this road appreciate that this pair is a "fixture" and no one has taken them out.

William Kendall said...

I've seen them out in Muskoka. They're fun birds to watch walking about.

Anvilcloud said...

I haven't though about it for a long time, but mt dad would use grouse as a verb. It more or less meant to complain or grumble.