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For over ten years I have been photographing ruffed grouse in Cascade River State Park. They have a life span of only about 7 to 8 years so I’m probably photographing different birds now.

One of the grey phase grouse became blind in his left eye a few years ago and disappeared over winter. The two I work with now are both red phase.

The red phase back and tail feathers are a reddish color. The grey phase’s same groupings of feathers are a light grey. During the mating season in spring the males use a log or rock where they can view any predators coming by. They puff themselves up to twice their size and drum.

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Their wings move faster and faster sounding like an engine starting up. The sound comes from an implosion of air moving through the feathers. The drumming soon attracts any females in the area. One time one of the males broke one primary feather in his wing and when he tried to drum there was hardly any sound at all.

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The second grouse has a beautiful spot in an old growth stand of white cedars.

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It is hard to photograph him because it is so dark under the trees.

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I have to use a flash to light him up. He doesn’t seem to mind the flash and has become pretty tame when I approach.

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After working with him for several years he will let me sit on the log right next to him.

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Once in a while he will flare out his feathers letting me know that I have spent enough time by his log and that he is trying to attract a female here. When he does I take off and leave him alone.

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