It’s that time of year folks, Sage Grouse are displaying on the lek. But photographers had best be prepared for extreme changes in lighting conditions and action from the displaying and fighting males.
I like bird photography that includes significant hints at habitat. That goal is typically more difficult to achieve with flight shots than static shots but it can be done and this image is an example.
And in this context I do mean stomping. First a brief explanation of the behavior, one I’ve seen multiple times with this species but have only rarely been able to photograph.
These photos are the epitome of the bird photography style known as “bird on a stick”. But at least it’s a natural stick and he did “salute” me to make up for it.