I have worked in the Nebraska Sandhills and now in the Pine Ridge as a natural resources manager for six years now. I’ve heard all about the experience of sitting in a blind and watching the spring displays of our native prairie grouse. I’ve always come up with excuses not to experience it myself…too early in the morning, sunlight not good enough, too far to drive, something going on at work etc. Yesterday, I finally did it.
A while back, I found a lek just a couple of miles from my house.
I was a little concerned about disturbing the dance setting up my blind early in the morning, so the evening prior, i went out to the area and set up a pop-up hunting blind. That night, I set my alarm for 0500. I had all of my gear (tripod, camera, etc) packed up in the truck, so all I had to do was make some coffee and head out before first light.
I got to the blind around 0545 and got settled in. It wasn’t 10 minutes later that I started hearing the guttural clucks and rapid foot stomping that I’d read about and only heard from a distance.
As the sun came up, i started taking photos. I didn’t have great light throughout the morning, but I’m pretty happy with several of the photos. It was hard to really capture the dance that the Sharptails do because of the poor light and the fact that my blind was actually a little bit lower than where they were dancing.It was a great experience. There was probably 15 or 20 birds in the group. I’d say 3/4 of them were actively dancing. I noticed a few of the birds acted as “sentinels” for the larger group. I also saw several of the female stopping by to watch and try to pick a mate.
I encourage all that work in tourism or natural resources to get out and see some of the wonders that go on in their area. I know my experience will help me to tell the story of the plains and has given me a new respect for the things that you don’t always see from the highway.
WOW, what an experience! I bet it was beautiful to see and hear.
I’ve seen Sandhill Cranes, Egrets, and Grebes doing their mating dance and it’s fascinating, and amazing to witness.
I’ve never seen these birds thank you for sharing!
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You will have to check it out someday. There are several places on public land that have blinds near leks that are free of charge to use (at least in Nebraska and South Dakota). If you are ever in an area within their range, contact the local office and I’m sure they’d be happy to get you set up!
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That would be awesome! Thanks!
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[…] witness the Sharptail Grouse’s spring mating ritual until just a couple of years ago. Last year I finally took the time to get out early in a blind and photograph it in better detail. I […]
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