Grouse

    This wonderful bird is an upland game bird to some and an adorable creature to others. These bird are to me a sign of healthy grass and forest communities .I wait for the first signs in spring of the grouse coming down off the upper forest and returning to breed. The male signals its arrival  on the hill outside the house ,displaying proudly his fanned tail and bright red throat sacks and its hoot or booming. When walking through the land, I sometimes flush a hen which will be right beside me and I didn’t see it due to its great camouflage .In the late spring, multiple hens and chicks will arrive around the house looking for insects and grass and seeds. The Grouse is an important food source for my plains ancestors and the fact that they are there ready to be caught easily for food imparts a great respect for them.

• Thus the Grouse Dance
• Height  7.5" Width 5.875" Thickness 4.25"