Species: Sage Grouse | Location: North Park, Colorado, USA
Several years back, I got to photograph prairie chickens on their lek during their Spring mating ritual. Since then, I've been wanting to get some shots of sage grouse on a Lek. A Lek is the term for their mating ground. Last year I was given a lead to a sage grouse lek, but the time to visit had already passed as the birds are only on the lek for about three to four weeks. I finally got the chance this year. In order to be on site ready to shoot well before sunrise when the male sage grouse begin showing up, I got out of bed at 2:30 a.m. for the three hour drive to North Park, Colorado. I arrived 45 minutes before sunrise to find the males already on the lek. It turned out to be an excellent morning for shooting as there was no wind, no clouds and the birds were situated to be lit by the rising sun. While this was my first visit it will definitely not be my last.
About The Photographer
I have been an amateur nature photographer for about 20 years. Following retirement, I moved from the east coast to Colorado which provides countless opportunities for landscape and wildlife photography both here in Colorado and throughout the Rocky Mountain west.
