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One of our annual spring trips is to photograph the male sharp-tailed grouse performing their courtship dance. Each spring males gather in a grassy area called a lek. They use the same area year after year.

A local farmer lets us go into his field and photograph the grouse. After several days of dancing the females pick the best displaying males for their mate. You can easily see why they are called sharp-tailed grouse.

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When we first got to the field it was raining and I had my doubts if they were going to dance. We set up the blinds anyhow and within a few minutes they flew in.

They were pretty wet and seemed not to be in the mood for dancing. They just sat there until the rain stopped.

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They shook off their wet feathers and the dance was on.

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After puffing up their neck feathers they were stomping their feet, spinning in circles and making this unique sound that would be hard to put into words.

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Notice the angle of the tail on this male. Along with calling, and stomping their tail moves back and forth.

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In between the dancing the males would pair off, face each other and occasionally fight.

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Soon things would slow down.

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The males would coo with puffed up neck feathers trying to attract the females. I am sure they are saying in grouse language, “Pick me pick me”.

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This on and off dancing lasted for about two hours than they slowly wandered off feeding as they walked by one of Charley’s old barns.

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