Photographed on a trail whilst out hiking one day, this Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) was giving me the eye before quietly waddling off under the near by salal and in to hiding. Spruce grouse are lovers of conifer forests and range across most of northern north America. They are more often heard than seen, especially in the spring when they can be heard beating their tails on a fallen log giving off a rhythmic drum beat as part of their courtship. This is a ‘Franklin’s’ sub-species which has a slightly differing colouration and is found here in British Columbia, Washington, Idaho and Montana.
