Sage Grouse Heaven

During our spring trip to Wayne County, Utah last year the jackpot bird species was the Sandhill Crane. So far this trip it has been the Greater Sage-Grouse, to the point that I almost feel like I’ve won the lottery because we independently found two leks.

 

Female Greater Sage-Grouse on a hilltopFemale Greater Sage-Grouse on a hilltop

It all began while I was photographing this beautiful female on a hilltop in the warm light of the barely-risen sun. If I hadn’t stopped for her we most likely would never have found the first lek. But that’s a long story that will have to wait until I’m not posting from the road.

 

 

Male Greater Sage-GrouseMale Greater Sage-Grouse

This is one of the males displaying on the first lek. He’s not quite in a classic pose but you get the idea.

I’ll be posting more images of these birds and telling their stories when I get home but I hope that in the meantime you enjoy this little teaser.

Ron

12 Comments

  1. How cool! Looking forward to reading & seeing more about them!

  2. Thanks so much, everyone. See my reply to Jo Ann Donnelly’s comment below for a very abbreviated update on the conclusion of our trip, especially if you’re a Willie Nelson fan.

  3. As I said to Mia. Gob and smacked. Flabber and ghasted. What an amazing day. I suspect my face would have split from the smiling. Looking forward to the follow up posts. So much.

  4. Wow! Can’t wait to hear the story. 😀

  5. Jane Chesebrough

    Fantastic find!

  6. Charlotte Norton

    Wonderful shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
    Charlotte

  7. Enjoying you photos, Ron – including that gorgeous sunrise shot!! Looks like you are enjoying your camping trip!! Should have Willie with you singing – “On The Road Again”!!

    • Just got home tonight, Jo Ann. As usual after one of these trips I’m incredibly exhausted and don’t have the time or energy (understatement!) to respond to all these thoughtful comments but I just HAD to respond to this part of what you said:

      “Should have Willie with you singing – “On The Road Again”!!”

      I ALWAYS have Willie with me on these trips and it’s my tradition (within minutes of us getting in the pickup and driving away from home) to hit the CD player, cranked up, and play “On The Road Again” for Mia. We both get a huge kick out of it because we love these trips so much.

      And this was one incredible trip, as I hope you can tell from the posts that will follow in the next few days and weeks…

  8. Finding one lek is quite a coup, but TWO!!! I hope they’re both “off the beaten path”. That you found them “by following an eagle” was interesting, too. So many times, I’ve been “led” to something special by a hawk or eagle “escort” leading the way. Sometimes makes me wonder….

  9. Finding a lek must have been exciting! I find these big, robust-looking birds quite noble looking. With all the chaining, habitat destruction and land grabbing by cattle ranchers, I worry about them…these are a handsome pair. Hope what you see is beautiful, exciting and non-human…

  10. I had to google it but learned what a lek is. Thought it was currency in crossword puzzles. Great pictures.

  11. Wonderful! Many thanks for posting at all. Great shots, much appreciated. Two leks, WOW!

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