Mama Fox 001

We want to wish everyone a Happy Mother’s Day. As you can see this fox mom is working hard to feed her three little kits.

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Mama Fox 002

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Red Fox Kits 001

Karla and I went back to the fox den yesterday. The little kits have grown a lot in the last week.

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Red Fox Kits 002

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Red Fox Kits 003

These guys are so cute when they come out of the den to see what is happening in the world.

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Ruffed Grouse 001

With the snow finally gone wildlife are beginning their spring rituals.

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Ruffed Grouse 002

The resident ruffed grouse of Cascade River State Park is drumming.

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Ruffed Grouse 003

He has been doing his thing on this moss covered rock for about 5 years. His wings move so quickly they are a blur to the naked eye.

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Ruffed Grouse 004

It takes a camera to stop the action so the feathers can be seen. I enjoy spending time watching the ruffed grouse drum in the spring.

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Ruffed Grouse 005

The more time spent, the closer they allow you.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse 001

We also spent time on a sharp-tailed grouse “lek” this week. This lek has been a hayfield since the late 1800s. The sharp-tails have been using it for their spring dancing rituals every year. We had over a dozen sharp-tails dancing outside our blinds for about two hours. The males dance with their wings stretched out.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse 002

They puff up their colorful neck sack, spin around in a circle and stomp on the ground making a very unique sound.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse 003

When they aren’t dancing they are fighting.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse 004

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