Sage Grouse Lek

[popeshawnpaul]

Pope, cold night in your blind? Beautiful pics. How many did you get?

You know it was cold!  25 degrees usually and I had snow 2 of the 4 nights.  Lens froze up on one.  There are usually 15-32 males on the lek but I only get to shoot 1 or 2 because they are all spaced out in their own dancing circle of about 30 yards each (lek is about the size of a football field or two).  If one gets in the other, it's on and they fight driving the other one out.  Whatever one dances in front of your tent that day is the one you are shooting for the most part unless you are in-between territories and then you can get a couple.  How many images?  900 the other morning but the other days I shot 7-300 depending on how long they stay on the lek, and light of course. 

Thanks!

[trophyhunt]

Sweet pic's, there is a lot of those on the Yakima training center. Big birds, thanks for posting.

[ICEMAN]

Awesome Shawn, I would love to try that someday. What a legacy to leave.

[jamesjett]

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing!

[boneaddict]

They are going the way of the DODO bird.   I am really glad someone is documenting them in their majesty so that future generations will know what they even are.   

[Special T]

They must not take to captive breeding very well???

[boneaddict]

They are pretty sensitive.   I am a supervisor to a gal that did her master thesis studying these critters in Wyoming.   She shared all sorts of stories about their demise in the lab/captivity.    I have never tried to raise them.  Not sure I could even get the license to try.

[gramps]

Thanks for sharing....very dedicated work.

[Gobble Gobble]

Just curious where you were taking the pics. I'm unable to view the pics and I work in an area that has sage grouse.

[KopperBuck]

I know Foster Creek Conservation District has been following and working on this issue closely in the past. They might be interested in these photos for educational purposes if you were willing. Just a thought.

[Special T]

besides habitat loss... what kinds of things are having the biggest negative impact on them? predators? Coyotes and hawks?

[KopperBuck]

Habitat is the issue. Predation only adds to it. You can argue that habitat may increase the predation I suppose. But habitat is crucial for these guys.

[boneaddict]

Wondered how those BIG WINDMILLS that were going to save the world effected them.

[boneaddict]

disturbance in nesting, meaning they get bumped off a nest and never come back.........Mankind essentially.   Gas exploration in Wyoming I think was the big one.     Poor hatch rate

[bearpaw]

Awesome photos Pope, thanks for posting...

Made me think of my sage grouse hunt in Utah.... hope you don't mind if I post a photo, JoDean Peters did the mount.