Ruffed grouse on drumming log

This is my first attempt at embedding an image. I located a drumming log in northern Maine while clearing some trails in early May of 2013 and managed to get some photos of a drumming grouse that year, though stray branches obstructed the image. I returned in May of 2014 and did a little judicious pruning to get a clearer shot at the spot where the grouse was expected to stand. After waiting 3 hours sitting at the base of a tree, I was rewarded when he showed up. I plan to return again this spring and see if different lighting conditions will add some "pop" to the image, and hope that the grouse or his successor cooperates. John

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …21865961@N02/16​748804430/

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great shot, especially after all the work put into it

Good stuff.

Larry - Thanks!

I also shot a video clip on my 7D, edited it from the minute and a half down to 30 seconds for posting to Youtube. After going through its drumming sequence, the grouse held the "look at me" pose (as in the still above) for a full minute afterward. They would often repeat this sequence 3 or 4 times, then step down from the log and walk over to another of their drumming logs (out of sight, but within earshot) and perform there, continuing to make the sequence at a couple more logs before coming back to this one.

Link to the Youtube video: https://www.youtube.co​m …TFgQkjOA&featur​e=youtu.be (it doesn't appear as though POTN will let me embed the link since it is not an image) If this works, turn your speakers up, the audio is very quiet. John

Thanks, Mel!

Neat bird. Well done.

Great work John, well worth the effort, good video too, the speed of the drumming is incredible.

Nice photo and back story. Isn't it nice when things go according to plan? (I wouldn't know, but it sounds nice...) Hope you get just as good a picture this year.

Ha, congratulations and well done. Curious-how do you identify a drumming log? (In case I ever stumble across one)

xmark402 wrote in post #17492902
Neat bird. Well done.

Much appreciated!

Joe52 wrote in post #17492938
Great work John, well worth the effort, good video too, the speed of the drumming is incredible.

That was my first, and to this point only, attempt to use the video capability of the 7D. Unless you can actually watch a grouse drum, it is hard to imagine just how they create that sound.

coopert wrote in post #17492946
Nice photo and back story. Isn't it nice when things go according to plan? (I wouldn't know, but it sounds nice...) Hope you get just as good a picture this year.

I certainly plan to give it another try this May! What I didn't mention in the original post is that I bumped the grouse off the log on my first trip up the trail last year -- only had an axe and saw (no camera) to clear any trees that had fallen during the winter. Based on my experience the previous year, I felt the sun angle about 1 pm would be optimal so went back the next day about 10 am and waited it out. Unfortunately, the light was rather flat and there were passing showers, but I was happy with the composition of the shot that resulted. I went back the day after as well and sat it out for 3 hours with great light, but the grouse never showed nor did I hear much drumming activity at all. I'd really like to capture the iridescence of the plumage so will keep at it!

ardeekay wrote in post #17493186
Ha, congratulations and well done. Curious-how do you identify a drumming log? (In case I ever stumble across one)

I have trouble pin pointing the distance and direction of a drumming grouse, though I can detect (as much feel as hear) the low-frequency sound better than most people I am with. In this case, I stopped walking when I heard the drumming and luckily caught the flicker of movement from its wings so had an idea of where to focus my search. I waited for the grouse to move off before searching for the log and possible vantage points for photography. Old, downfallen moss covered logs are classic, but they will also use boulders and other vantage points. They like enough cover to provide some protection from raptors. I don't know how typical the heavy accumulation of old grouse droppings and a couple of characteristic feathers is, but when I saw it, knew I had the right log. If you look closely you can see the top of the log is covered with grouse droppings, as well as the heaping pile at its base.

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …21865961@N02/16​939774621/

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Love behavioral and environment shots.
Nice job

Great shot, perseverance and work John.

I love those shoots that don't come easy and yours is just that.
Well done.

jhayesvw wrote in post #17493487
Love behavioral and environment shots.
Nice job

2n10 wrote in post #17493587
Great shot, perseverance and work John.

samsen wrote in post #17493598
I love those shoots that don't come easy and yours is just that.
Well done.

Thank you all for looking and commenting, much appreciated!

Nicely done John! Enjoyed the video also!