Early birds

[kickingfrog]

My brother and I headed north for some early grouse. This year the temps were in the mid-high teens and with some colour on the trees it was better conditions than the last 3-4 years of high temperatures. The problem was the bugs were thicker.

First birds of the season





Brother's first bird


This one fanned its tail out all on its own.


Late day spruce.

[tom gobble]

Nice pics, did it feel weird with the warm weather

[kickingfrog]

For us the last 4 openers/close to openers has been over 25 degrees so morning single digits and then a high of 16 degrees was welcomed. I'm in the stage of family life where my falls are busy with kids sports so I can't be as picky about my get-a-ways.

[Birdbuff]

Awesome pictures. I’m officially jealous. Can’t wait to get out there myself. I hope we start to cool down some. I’d much prefer a cooler extended fall.

[ben1983]

do you use a dog at all to flush? go by sound/drumming or just stroll along and wait for the birds to fly off?

[fishhawk]

Very nice, enjoy the grouse dinner.

[Jeff Kavanagh]

Great stuff!

[dean.f]

Seeing this thread has me convinced to head north this weekend to explore a new area. I just can't wait another week to get out.

[finsfurfeathers]

Seeing this thread has me convinced to head north this weekend to explore a new area. I just can't wait another week to get out.

I concur the images are sure inspiring however with highs mid to high 20C with humidex pushing 30 the dogs and I will take a pass until it cools off a bit.

[kickingfrog]

do you use a dog at all to flush? go by sound/drumming or just stroll along and wait for the birds to fly off?

No dog. The only drumming my brother heard was when I was taking a nap and it was too thick for him to go find it. We look and listen for them. The frost has started to work on the underbrush but it is still thick. We'll hear the odd one purring. The ruffies up there don't let you get too close to them (but nothing like down south) the spruce grouse hold until you get uncomfortably close.