Male Spruce Grouse

I spent 4 days in Algonquin Park in early October. I had hoped to get some shots of bull mooose during the rut but, unlike in August, I did not see a single moose.

I did spend a short time with this male Grouse on my last full day. I managed a few head portraits too before a pushy Blue Jay, looking for a handout, frightened this handsome fellow back into the bush. The fallen maple leaves added a bit of colour in the background.

1. Portait - Minor crop for composition (Canon EOS 7D, 700mm, 1/200 s, f/5.6, ISO 1000)

IMAGE LINK: http://s153.photobucke​t.com …e_07_zps311dfd9​c.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s153.photobucke​t.com …e_12_zps1b47f50​f.jpg.html

Beautiful captures Stephen! Love the BG too!

Lovely shots.

Very well done.

Good ones, Stephen. They are tough to photograph as they always seem to appear in the darkest of forests.
Al

Very nice Stephen!

Very nice work Stephen

Gorgeous shots Stephen, I've been on the lookout for one of these for ages.

That's a beauty, Stephen.

Very nice shots Stephen. It was probably Jeff's (^^Pondrader) pet Bluejay that interfered with your picture taking!
Isn't that Park your hangout Jeff?

Thank you all for the kind comments. This was my best opportunity yet with a male Spruce Grouse and I'm pleased with the results.

Beautiful captures of a bird it is hard to get close to even with the longest lenses!

very well done- really nice looking bird

Thank you Butterfly and Bob.