Yesterday, my backyard thermometer rose to +5° C for the first time in over a month. And with the warmth, Ruffed Grouse reappeared — two of them seen over 3 km apart.
The first grouse sat motionless in the bush and appeared to be a log butt showing its grain.
The second grouse didn’t feel any need to hide. It brazenly crossed my path confident that its plumage offered camouflage even in snow. It seems destined to make some coyote very happy.
Is this the only blog on the internet that doesn’t have a reference to the Trump inauguration today? If one were to squint, there a resemblance between your second grouse and the man of the hour…
Doug, but hasn’t your comment brought that outside world into the tranquility of our refugium?
Like the first grouse we may crouch in our refuge, imagining ourselves invisible, and our tranquility beyond the reach of the harsh world…but there are many roving coyotes out there that will be happy to disabuse us of our notions of security.
Oh my no — toes are slim and elegant ;-}}
Outstanding photo of that grouse.
Thanks for splendid pictures and to the person who asked us to “squint a little ” .and the great chuckle that this invoked .