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This is the time of year that the male ruffed grouse can be heard when you are hiking the trails along the North Shore. They select a log or rock in an area where brush surrounds them as a guard against predators. You can just make out the grouse on the log in the middle of this photo.

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During the early morning hours and sometimes all day long you can hear them as they beat their wings with intense speed. This implosion of air sounds like an internal combustion engine trying to start.

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They drum every three minutes when active. Grouse are plentiful in the North Woods and their drumming sounds can carry up to half a mile.

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Their feathers have such a beautiful design.

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This one picked a beautiful moss covered log.

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When a female shows up, the male puffs up his neck feathers, spreads his tail and displays like he owns the woods. All this to try to impress the female.

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Some grouse are more tolerant than others but this one wasn't disturbed at all when I got close. After I took this photo he chased after the female.

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Feeding Chickadees 001

I spent several hours over four days watching and photographing this grouse. At the same time I had six chickadees hanging around looking for sunflower seeds. The chickadees were even more tolerant than the grouse.. I think one day I had chickadees land in my hand over 100 times.

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Feeding Chickadees 002

One of our granddaughters stayed over night this week and was interested in seeing the drumming grouse. Luckily the chickadees showed up also. I think she was more excited about the chickadees than the grouse. It is not very often that you get to have birds land in your hand.

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She would look back and forth between the grouse drumming in front of her and the chickadees on her hand. This photo looks like they are talking to each other.

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Nothing makes a kid smile more than an outdoor encounter with wildlife.

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