The members of the bird family known as grouse have unique courtship displays. I had been wanting to photograph both Greater Sage Grouse and Greater Prairie Chickens again for multiple years. Little did I know that, in addition, I would have the opportunity to photograph two other members of the grouse family while in Wyoming.
My first stop was at a private ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills. I had been in the area two weeks earlier to photograph the Greater Prairie Chickens. A rancher, whom I had met along the road, invited me to his place to photograph this member of the grouse family. I made a mental note to visit his ranch in April of 2026. But when I decided to go to Wyoming, I could not pass up the opportunity to drive through the Sandhills again and take advantage of his offer.
Next on my list was the Greater Sage Grouse. I knew of a lek on public ground in Wyoming and spent four mornings there. Like most members of the grouse family, these birds are early risers. This meant that my days started at 3:15 a.m. to make the drive, walk in, get my blind set up, and be quieted down before the birds arrived around 5:00 a.m.
The next species of grouse that I saw was one that I have wanted to photograph since middle school. While in Grand Teton National Park, I drove down a dead-end road and stopped at the last pull-out along the road. While eating lunch, I heard a Ruffed Grouse drumming nearby. It took me a while to locate the drumming log that the male used for its spring ritual. As I slowly moved through the brush, the grouse would also move around to various spots within a diameter of about 100 feet. Even though it saw me multiple times, it did not leave the area. I located its drumming log and an appropriate spot for my blind. The next morning, I set up my blind by flashlight. The images I took that morning were less than stellar. The grouse faced away from me all morning. Therefore, I set up again that afternoon, on the other side of the bird, and was pleased with the results.
The fourth member of the grouse family I photographed was in Yellowstone National Park. While photographing a Black Bear, a person told me of another bear on up the road. It was along a road that was still closed from the winter season. Parking there, I grabbed my gear and began walking. About a mile up the closed road, I spotted a Dusky Grouse. While I kept an eye out for bears, the next hour was spent photographing this grouse. Likely the tamest member of the grouse family, I was within 5 feet of this bird at times; too close for photos with my big lens.
The male members of the grouse family have interesting displays to attract females. I encourage you to log into YouTube and google the courtship ritual of each species. I think you will be impressed. Better yet, go witness it yourself, in-person, next Spring.