Highlight from the Eastern Sierra Trip!

 "Grouse photography ROCKS!" 

Introducing a new species which Chicks on a Grouse Trip recently had the pleasure to photograph. 

"Meet the Sooty Grouse!"                     ©SandyZelasko, InvestInNature.org

What a find! Unlike the last post, Christine and I were ecstatic about the opportunity to see and photograph this new-to-us species. Once grouped under the name of Blue grouse, the species was divided into two; the Sooty and Dusky grouse. 

Continuing the story from our last post, a trip to the Eastern Sierra with Los Angeles Audubon had its ups and downs. Not being able to get within photo range of the Bi-State greater sage grouse was disappointing but finding the Sooty Grouse was the highlight! And I mean HIGH light! Approximately 110' in a Jeffery Pine tree, its unique 'booming' sound was heard before being seen. It took our group of eight at least 30 minutes to recognize its subtle movement and identify where the bird was. A shoutout and huge thanks to the member of our group who actually spotted the bird. We all got images this time. 

Some of you may wonder, "What is so special about this bird?"

Well, for this team it is another species of grouse under our belt. But this grouse is unique in many ways. Sometimes called the "ghost" chicken, they are notoriously hard to locate. They follow a unique winter migration moving high in old-growth conifers to live off pine needles, bugs, berries and insects. During spring they show off bright yellow eye combs and air sacs accented by white downy feathers. Ventriloquial hooting, resemble blowing into a jug, attract females. Courtship actually happens on the ground when the male descends from his 'songpost,' puffs his plumage, fans his tail, droops his wings, bobs his head and struts around the female before copulating. Female are now on their own to select a spot and construct the nest, incubate the eggs and raise the young.

Just to toot our horn, Christine and I returned the following day and were able to find another sooty grouse on our own, very high up in another Jeffery Pine. The light was difficult so images were not as good as the previous sighting but it has only fueled our fire. Next year we won't hesitate to return for more sooty grouse action. There is so much more behavior to photograph! 

Find out more facts and see images of this stunning bird HERE.  

Feel free to leave a comment, ask a question or just give us a thumbs up. We would love to hear from you. 

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