Well, I've been having a great spring despite the weather. Actually, because of the weather it's been a little refreshing walking the hills. Rather than telling a long story I figured it easier to just show some pictures and let you figure the rest.
Big male grouse strutting his stuff.
Blue Grouse nest late in May
Fox leading me to her den. I wasn't quick enough to get pictures of the young ones running under the rock into their den.
This rough grouse hung around on the ground for quite a while before flying into the tree indicating she had a nest close by but we never found it.
Always unwanted company.
Female grouse trying to encourage me to follow her. The wet little one had just exited an egg and it was time for me and Riley to leave mom to her duties.
Lot's of baby deer and elk around. The fawn pictures didn't turn out very good.
A little R & R.
Proud mom.
Doubly proud
Fighting over ownership.
Wheres my mom?
Riley pointing turkey on June 10. She reluctantly flew off, once again leading me to believe there was a nest or little ones close by. We looked briefly and then left to see her fly back five minutes later.
And last. Riley pointed this hun, who pulled the crippled bird act right down to me. I caught her, took a picture, took a picture of her nest and then vacated with Riley. This was also on the 10th of June. These eggs could be hatched tomorrow or in the next 23 days. Do the math and hopefully we're on our way to a good season.
Have a great summer.
6 comments:
Larry any reason that one egg is hanging out to the side?
I'm sure she knocked it out as she came off the nest and probably nudged it back in when she returned to the nest. When the eggs hatch they need to be touching so that once one starts hatching the others feel the vibration and peeps from the others and starts the ball rolling. They usually hatch in six hours.
did you learn all this stuff observing, reading, or talking to biologists?
Pretty much all three. I incubated and raised upland birds for several years and that pretty much taught me the neccessities of many factors concerning a successful hatch and higher survival rate. I've seen chukars under captivity start laying their eggs over three weeks different depending on spring conditions. That is why I think they have some sort of instinct that tells them the time is right.
You should consider writing a book, "A Guide to Upland Bird Hunting in the West".
A master hunters thoughts on birddogs, hunting, and harvesting Idaho and Oregon upland birds.
I would certainly buy it and I am sure not the only one.
Thanks for the compliment jc. That is one of the reasons I've kept records of most of my outings over the years. But everytime I sit down and get started I get bored. I'd rather be out doing than sitting and telling. That is unless it's sitting around a camp fire and chatting.
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