What's Not to lek? 2016

[ScottP]

BLM didn't have funding to conduct Sage Grouse research this year but, luckily, I was asked to help with a similar project in another part of the state. After stopping to visit family in Three Forks



and pay my respects to the Blue Pony, star of the 2013 edition



I headed east on I-90 and hung a left just past the Crazies






Mountains get a bit smaller further up the road, but no less interesting (don't know what I hit to remove the color)




Camera did the same thing again when I got into town; weird




I know I'm gonna eat healthy here




First morning out

[ScottP]

and the grouse were up and at it (best single day count I've ever had). No pics of Sage but a few Sharpies were willing to pose






Poking around some beautiful country (Black Butte does tend to dominate)










a real lean-to




Had a couple warm days to stir up the critters





but luckily, no buzz-worms

[ScottP]

Project lead didn't just want visual sightings so we poked around in the sage to see what we could find

scat




feathers




and the mother lode; she flushed 15 feet in front of us, making it easy to find the nest




Some mouth-breathing knuckle dragger's idea of "sport", popping off Rough-Legs; we did provide the coords to FWP






more posers




more scenery

[ScottP]

last morning out; didn't score a grouse nest but spooked a mama Horned Lark and found how she spent her day




Burrowing Owls moving in on the prairie dogs




plenty of wind to keep these in the rotation




looks like the Snowies need a haircut




Regards,
Scott

[herefishy]

Thanks for the pictures, Scott - great country.

[lastchance]

Nice photos, Scott. In what state did you take them?

[ScottP]

In what state did you take them?

Bruce,

A state of confusion. Actually, it's central Montana.

Regards,
Scott