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Friday, February 15, 2013

Vantage Point






Why is it that I never have my 300mm lens when I need it?  Then again, why is it, that a "Nikkor Lens Fairy" hasn't sent me my dream AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 G ED VR with a 2x teleconverter???  Hahahaha ... Friday humour!!!  Well, as luck would have it, this female, Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) decided to perch herself up in a tree not too far from me while I was out for a Friday afternoon stroll with all of my boys and my lil' 85mm lens!  LOL!

Many people refer to this 'sensitive' species as a "Prairie Chicken" and you certainly do a double take when you see a chicken-like bird sitting high up in a tree!  The Sharp-tailed Grouse is a native game bird that one tends to encounter when small flocks of them burst into flight from long, thick grass.

During the summer months, the Sharp-tailed grouse have a diet made up of insects, seeds and grasses.  In the winter, they focus their diet on buds and berries!  Perhaps this grouse was checking out the rose-hip patch just below her!  Grouse 'snow roost' during the winter months and are very well equipped for our winter climate!  So there you have it ... Sharp-tailed Grouse lesson 101 on a Friday!  Have a great weekend everyone!

5 comments:

  1. Sehr schöne Bilder.
    Was ist das für eine Vogelart?

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    Replies
    1. Danke! Hmm ... Arten in Englisch bezieht sich auf die biologische Gruppe, Rang / Bestellung von lebenden Organismen, die ähnlich sind. Ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob das ein hilfreicher explaination ist?

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    2. The name of this bird?

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    3. Es ist eine scharfe-tailed grouse genannt, aber viele bezeichnen es als "prairie chicken." :)

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  2. Wow, even I had to do a double take looking at your photo. I have never seen a Sharp-Tailed Grouse in a tree! I have been scared out of my wits by them fleeing from the long ditch grass though!

    What's up with the Nikor Lens Fairy? She hasn't been my way either, gesh!

    ReplyDelete

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