I made a 2 1/2 day trip to photograph foxes this past weekend. I was fortunate to find not only that the foxes still had their winter fur, but also that a few of the Blue Grouse were already engaged in their mating ritual.
Sunday morning I forgot all about the foxes and went looking for Blue Grouse. I was not disappointed! Three males had hens with them, and were in full display. They stayed in range, and were so caught up in their quest for a mate that they didn't seem to mind my presence at all. In fact, they frequently ran right at me until they were so close that my lens wouldn't focus on them. Then I'd have to go off chasing them again - trying to get in front of them so that the light would be at my back.
In all of the wildlife antics I've seen, this behavior of the Blue Grouse is one of the most fun things to witness. I almost wish I'd had a video camera instead of my SLR. Fortunately, the displaying season for them is just beginning, so we should have opportunities to get out and observe this (or photograph it) for a few more weeks.
