Walking with Grouse

Walleye and northern pike fishing and the possibility of photographing Ontario's abundant black bears drew me to Errington's Wilderness Resort.

- Richard P. Smith

The pleasant surprise discovered upon my arrival on the island were the plentiful ruffed grouse that were habituated to people and would let me walk with them, so I could observe their behavior and photograph them. I was able to observe and photograph grouse going about their daily routines, including males displaying and drumming to attract females.

I followed this brown color phase female into an opening where I captured this image. It appears as though she's posing for this photograph, but she was actually on alert, looking for potential danger, but she was clearly not worried about me. I spent an hour walking with this grouse.