Blog Archives
Day Six Nature Challenge
Dear Friends, this is my favorite sharp tail grouse image from this spring in Namekagon Barrens. My thanks to the Friends of Namekagon for their work in setting up blinds and maintaining the lek sites. til Tomorrow MJ
Wood Orchid
Dear Friends, this pretty orchid is found in the red pine forests and is called the pink lady slipper. They like the acidic ground and shady light that the forest provides, and these conditions make subtle sunlight for flower photography. I got lucky as this particular bloom was very vivid in color and had a bee perched on top, the only drawback to these conditions are the wood ticks that also thrive here.. til Tomorrow MJ
Sunrise Dancing
Dear Friends, our second morning on the Namekagon Barrens Sharptail Grouse Lek was warmer than our first morning, 47 degrees F and lots of sun. The male birds were dancing furiously and herding the females. I think the males have a control issue as they need to move the female, but when she stops, all the male birds around the lek, freeze in their dancing position and don’t move a feather until she moves again. Curious behavior that we had not seen before, but never had six females on the lek before either. The golden light of dawn makes this a really warm image, but that is the way it is, so enjoy til Tomorrow MJ
Morning in the Blind
Dear Friends, Wednesday was our first morning in the blinds of Namekagon Wildlife Area to watch the Sharp tailed Grouse dancing in the spring mating ritual. Not our first ever morning in these blinds , but the first this year. This male is almost in dancing position, but had stopped momentarily to give some verbal commentary. The morning was lovely but chilly, lots of sun and soon the birds just laid down and soaked up the sunshine, most of the real dancing took place just before dawn before there was enough light to photograph. Topped the morning off with breakfast with two friends from the cities then out to Crex to spend the rest of the day, perfection. til Tomorrow MJ
Grouse Attitude
Friends, an early morning in the grouse blind with male Sharptail Grouse dancing around us makes getting up before the sun very worthwhile, when they are tired from dancing, two males will lie down in the grasses face to face and stare at each other, these two rose up and this confrontation was apparent, the grouse on the left was all pumped up and full of himself, the right bird was giving a lecture, an attitude adjustment no doubt, I love when the birds and animals reveal their personalities and let me into their world, til Tomorrow MJ
MJ Springett 