Female Greater Sage-Grouse in the Centennial Valley
I saw and photographed my first Greater Sage-Grouse this summer in Beaverhead County, Montana while traveling through the Centennial Valley. Yay!
I was excited to see them on two different trips, one time in poor light and once in better light. Currently Greater Sage-Grouse are only found in 56% of their historical range due to habitat destruction and human encroachment. They need our protection now.
There were about 12 Greater Sage-Grouse in the area where I photographed this hen and the other out of focus birds. I had to shoot between barbed wire strands to get this image.
Male Greater Sage-Grouse
I photographed this male earlier in July than the image at the top, the light was terrible and the grouse was quite a distance away but I love the wildflowers in the setting.
Seriously, if these beautiful upland game birds are denied the protection they need now is there any guarantee that by the time they are given protection under the Endangered Species Act that there will be time to save them? I hope so. I really do.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Greater Sage-Grouse photos plus facts and information about this species.
Another gorgeous bird -at risk. Sometimes I despair of people.
Congrats on the lifer. And I love the wildflowers in the foreground too.
Beautiful environmental shots of these magnificent birds, I hope they are protected soon.