Kate & Ruby

Ruby and Kate like to go each year. Especially if Charley is home so they can play with farm animals afterwards. It is always fun to scratch a cow, catch a chicken of ride a horse.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Dancing 005

The females just watch.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Adventure 001

I went twice this spring. Once by myself to get photos of the birds dancing. The second time was to share the excitement with Shelley, Jenny and Jenny’s two girls Ruby and Kate. I am in this blind with Kate and Ruby.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Adventure 002

Jenny and Shelley are in this blind. Shelley had never seen it before so she was pretty impressed.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Dancing 001

Each spring I try and make a trip to Palo to witness the dancing of the sharp-tailed grouse. A farmer friend lets us set up our blind in his field and watch the dancing. Notice how fast the tip of his tail is moving.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Dancing 002

Sharp-tailed grouse go to the same spot of ground every spring to do their courting ritual. The dancing area is called a “Lek”. The males shake their sharp tails, stomp their feet, spin around and make a noise that is unlike anything else I have ever heard.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Dancing 003

Every so often the males get into a sparing event where they jump at each other kicking and biting.

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Sharp-tailed Grouse Dancing 004

It gets kind of rough at times and they will actually pull feathers out of each other.

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