Saturday 15 May 2010

Black Grouse.....The Lek







This week myself and Paul Foster had the good fortune to be invited to accompany  wildlife artist Jonathan Latimer to an early morning black grouse lek in the wilds of County Durham.  It was an early start and we had driven up to meet Jonathan on site. We met up around three in the morning and were greeted by sub zero temperatures and a wonderful star filled sky. We gathered our equipment and made our way to the area where the birds lek to erect a hide for photography, Jonathan's hide was already in position. We were in position and ready for action just as the sky was showing signs of getting lighter, it was now around four in the morning and was still well below freezing.
It wasn't long before the most amazing sounds surrounded us... the black grouse had arrived and were tuning up for action. The noises they make have been described as bubbling and wheezing like espresso machines and to hear them at very close quarters in the darkness was a wonderful experience. Gradually more daylight lit up the scene and we could now see the shapes that were producing the sounds. It was still too dark for photography and we just sat for an hour or so enthralled by the unfolding drama before us.
By around six we were able to take some images and for the next couple of hours or so we were treated to some amazing sights as the ten male black grouse present that morning at the lek strutted their stuff. It was still below freezing as the sun came up and the grouse departed on a couple of occasions but always returned to their favourite part of the damp and rushy hillside. It was at times a little cramped in the hide but time soon passed and around eight o'clock after the birds had finally departed we decided to come out of hiding and make the trek back to the waiting cars.
What an amazing experience it had been to witness at close quarters one of Natures great spectacles and one I can hopefully experience again sometime in the future. I would like to thank Jonathan for making it possible for us to join him and to Paul for providing the transport and the hide from which we enjoyed those wonderful sights and sounds. It was a memorable trip and one that will long remain in the memory..... Thanks to you both.
I have posted a few images from the trip and hope they convey to my readers some of the magic moments we enjoyed on that very frosty morning in the Northern Pennines. I may post more images at a later date but in the meantime hope you enjoy this account of a memorable day out.

12 comments:

  1. Stunning pictures - wonderful colors and light !
    The second one is a real beauty.
    I would love to photograph such a bird once :)

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  2. stunning stuff Brian - sounds like a truly memorable experience

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  3. Brian....A wonderful experience for you along with Paul and Jonathan, and you of course did the business in your excellent style and came up with equally excellent images to share with us as you have done here, and to keep forever.

    Great stuff Brian, and by the way....if you have any more images you'd better be going to publish them here or else!

    A much appreciative Pete.

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  4. That must have been some experience; and a great account of it all Brian.
    Superb images, and I agree with Pescalune, that second shot is amazing.

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  5. A really good account of our trip Brian.

    One to savour!!!!!!

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  6. Some great photography glad I dropped by
    loved your birthday blog on my favorite the barn owls. (Yes been right through your blog) You started blogging the same month as I. you also have the 100x400 lens. My wife gave me mine as a birthday present on retirement last year, and those last shots are superb, well done .

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  7. Hi Brian. I have been away and so i am just catching up with your usual superb pictures of Dotterel etc. Great stuff. Phil

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  8. Great pictures, amazing blog!!! congratulations!!!

    http://balapertotarreu.blogspot.com

    Barcelona
    Frank

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  9. What an experience - well worth the early start. I can tell by the frost on the grass which photos were taken first!

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  10. A lovely set and a great read. Nice work Brian

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  11. Beautiful set of images. Well done Sir.

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