Stunning!!!
Was it difficult to take this w/out scaring the grouse?

@Karen:

Not really - I think either it was trying to guard its nest/region &/or something was wrong with it, the bird just walking very close to us [Nils, Anna, Maija and more and myself] without much hesitation. It was rather difficult to get the settings right, to get a clear shot, with randomly varying light.

Excellent !!!

nice shot

Stunning!!! this is perfect! Color tone and comp....how cool to be this close!!! Very cool!

Superb detail. They will be strumming their chest in the woods now looking for a mate.

Nice. It find it somewhat surprising you even saw it in the first place. Was the grouse moving around quite a bit?
I ask because I have nearly stepped on these little guys before [then they explode out of the brush beneath you].

@posthumus_cake:
I have had that experience before and when I first saw it, it was on a greenish grass background. From then on, I just had to make sure I didn't lose it.

I love the partridge!

Hey there - I blogged this to The Ruffed Grouse and how to manage land for it in Michigan on Michigan in Pictures.

Thanks for adding to the Absolute Michigan pool!