Drumming Ruffed Grouse 001

This week I spent several days with the ruffed grouse that I photographed two weeks ago. After spending that much time with him I could get within six to seven feet of his drumming log without disturbing him. The log that he picked this year made for great photos as it was covered in beautiful moss.

DrummingRuffedGrouse001

Drumming Ruffed Grouse 002

I was able to photograph him from every side. I do really enjoy watching ruffed grouse drum. They usually start about 5:30 AM and drum every three minutes until mid-morning. They will take a few minutes off to eat every couple of hours.

DrummingRuffedGrouse002

Drumming Ruffed Grouse 003

When he gets up on his log, puffs up his feathers and gets his wings going he looks like he is telling all the other wildlife that this is his territory.

DrummingRuffedGrouse003

Drumming Ruffed Grouse 004

I was able to lay on the ground in front of him and get the blue sky in the photo.

DrummingRuffedGrouse004

Drumming Ruffed Grouse 005

When they puff up their neck feathers it is so impressive.

DrummingRuffedGrouse005

Drumming Ruffed Grouse 006

Photographing the fast-moving wings of a drumming ruffed grouse requires a faster shutter speed. To get a minimal amount of motion blur to the wings you need to shoot from 1/250 to 1/400 of a second.

DrummingRuffedGrouse006

Drumming Ruffed Grouse 007

This photo was taken at 1/400 of a second and you can still see motion blur from the wings because they move so fast. They are just a blur when you see them with your eyes. It was a fun two weeks spending time in the woods listening to the wildlife around me and having close contact to not only the grouse but the family of chickadees.

DrummingRuffedGrouse007