Cascade Rusty 001

Two of the many sounds of spring that I eagerly await are the frog choruses and the drumming of the male ruffed grouse. This grouse nicknamed Cascade Rusty displays on a beautiful moss covered stone in Cascade River State Park.

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Cascade Rusty 002

The moss is worn away where he stands to drum. They like to have their feet in the exact same location when drumming.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 001

Another ruffed grouse drums on a log in one of the Grand Marais Municipal campsites.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 002

The wings beat amazingly fast and move a lot of air. If sitting on the ground in front of them, the air can be felt when it goes by you.

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With his chest sticking out so proudly he seems to be proclaiming that he is “King of the Forest”.

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In this pose he looks like he is conducting an orchestra.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 005

It took several attempts to catch his wings in the outward positions. I don’t know if it was the sound of the clicking camera or if he became annoyed at my presence but he puffed up his neck feathers, jumped off the log and came after me. Rather than let him get too close I kept retreating.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 006

Soon every feather on his body puffed up. I have never seen a ruffed grouse display to this degree before. He even had little horns that stuck up. He was so close that I had a hard time getting his whole body in the frame.

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This went on for about 15 minutes and in the process I moved backwards about 50 yards. With each step that I retreated he advanced forward. This was all in slow motion. It wasn’t like he was going to peck me. Finally when he got to this rock he must have decided that I wasn’t a threat anymore and he proceeded to go back to his drumming.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 008

As the sun was setting it reminded me why I like to spend time in the woods experiencing new wildlife behaviors.

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Drumming Ruffed Grouse 009

It was another great outdoor memory.

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