Ruffed Grouse Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted October 4, 2011103 views13 comments

I had a close encounter with a Ruffed Grouse this afternoon - too close.

I had heard of this species following humans and being aggressive, and now have experienced it first hand.

I could not get far enough away from him to get a full-body shot, so had to settle for his portrait. He thanked me by latching on to my pant leg.

Perhaps the black-legged tick that has been feeding in front of his eye "ticked him off"? (Sorry)

Nikon D300; 300mm; f 7.1 @1/250th; ISO 320; HH; cropped to portrait (approx. 50%).

Larger version to show more detail. All comments and suggestions most welcome.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 4, 2011 at 7:30 PM

Love the story to go along with the image Tom. I can tell that you've really got the birds attention. Very interesting about the tick too. Neat stuff.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 4, 2011 at 8:31 PM

I've never been attacked by a grouse, but I saw one chasing a turkey once. Love your story and the photo is is incredible! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on October 4, 2011 at 9:02 PM

Tom, I just love the image showing the detail and the colors of the Grouse and its eye. Even the tick is sharp. Your story made for an entertaining review of the image.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on October 4, 2011 at 9:12 PM

Great story, Tom, and a very nice portrait. Really nice detail and a nice head turn showing off it's crown. Very nice image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on October 4, 2011 at 9:13 PM

Really nice shot Tom - very sharp and the colors are great.

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 4, 2011 at 9:24 PM

Very nice - wonderful detail in this close up.

A good story as well. I once had one of these birds attack my car - it was pale yellow just like the park system trucks that it also would attack (but not the white trucks for some reason).

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on October 4, 2011 at 9:26 PM

All around wonderful post. Detail in the feathers, eye and everything makes for a splendid portrait and interesting short story to go with.

Charlie

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 4, 2011 at 9:36 PM

Exquisite detail, Tom. Excellent dof and exposure and I like the way you framed it. Must have been quite an experience.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on October 5, 2011 at 12:49 AM

Excellent portrait, Tom. Good detail throughout. You have the RUGR's undivided attention.

For a couple of years, we had a male with the same belligerence you describe at Wander Lake Refuge. He'd attack strangers. If you sat down, he'd climb up on you and pull on your clothes and hat. And cluck at you. My avatar photo is taken under the situation you describe.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on October 5, 2011 at 3:47 AM

Wonderful portrait - the eye is so sharp, and the tick is interesteing natural history. I'm glad I live in Australia - we only have to deal with deadly snakes, spiders, sharks and crocodiles - nothing this fearsome.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 5, 2011 at 5:59 PM

Absolutely stunning portrait Tom. Beautiful colors
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on October 5, 2011 at 6:02 PM

really right stuff.......

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on October 6, 2011 at 7:59 AM

The detail is wonderful and I really like the pose. Excellent.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments