Posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 25, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I'm seeking know how information from Avian photographers who have successfully photographed spring mating drumming of the male Ruff Grouse. How did you do it? Any examples of photographs?
I assume you mean the American species. Not that there is much difference to our Black Grouse.
Assuming you know where there is a lec, then you are more than halfway there. Set up a hide, ideally made from surrounding materials. On the day of your intended shoot, get there well before dawn, and set yourself up. Job done. wait till well after the lec has finished before quietly leaving.
I'm currently looking at a copy of a video by L.L.Rue III, called "Advance Bird Photography", it has four sections, the first section covers how to photograph "Drumming Ruffed Grouse" from total darkness to first light. If you can't get a copy, let me know and I will see if I can get it copied onto a DVD for you. The first video, the"basics Of bird Photography" is also very informative, there is something for everyone to learn from it and not just if you are based in the states. Please note that the states use a different zone, encryption, than Europe, so no guarantees.
Let me know if I can help further my e-mail is 2ray@f2s.com
Posted by John Robinson on January 26, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Rohn
Try google images which has loads of pictures of them and links to articles.
It is nothing like our Black grouse as you will see.
There's some interesting stuff on there.
Best of luck
JR
I was referring to the fact, that both the Ruff Grouse and the Black Grouse, both use LEC’s, thus the technique to photograph them would be similar, if not the same, which the video confirms
Posted by John Robinson on January 26, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Rohn
Try this link
http://www.jstor.org/pss/3799386
The Leks which the birds use are more likely to be in cover as the article partly explains, compared with our grouse. This will obviously make a difference to light availablity etc and hide positioning and shooting(Photo) conditions. They often used favoured logs for example as opposed to more open grassy Black Grouse leks.
Some notes here on those surveyed in Alberta.
Ruffed grouse (coastal races)/0.5 hours before sunrise to 2.5 after/ Mid March - late April/ Drumming by males
Ruffed grouse (interior races)/0.5 hours before sunrise to 1.0 after/ Mid April - late May /Drumming by males
Hope that helps little.
JohnR
Discussion
4 repliesAssuming you know where there is a lec, then you are more than halfway there. Set up a hide, ideally made from surrounding materials. On the day of your intended shoot, get there well before dawn, and set yourself up. Job done. wait till well after the lec has finished before quietly leaving.
I'm currently looking at a copy of a video by L.L.Rue III, called "Advance Bird Photography", it has four sections, the first section covers how to photograph "Drumming Ruffed Grouse" from total darkness to first light. If you can't get a copy, let me know and I will see if I can get it copied onto a DVD for you. The first video, the"basics Of bird Photography" is also very informative, there is something for everyone to learn from it and not just if you are based in the states. Please note that the states use a different zone, encryption, than Europe, so no guarantees.
Let me know if I can help further my e-mail is 2ray@f2s.com
Try google images which has loads of pictures of them and links to articles.
It is nothing like our Black grouse as you will see.
There's some interesting stuff on there.
Best of luck
JR
I think you have misunderstood me.
I was referring to the fact, that both the Ruff Grouse and the Black Grouse, both use LEC’s, thus the technique to photograph them would be similar, if not the same, which the video confirms
Try this link
http://www.jstor.org/pss/3799386
The Leks which the birds use are more likely to be in cover as the article partly explains, compared with our grouse. This will obviously make a difference to light availablity etc and hide positioning and shooting(Photo) conditions. They often used favoured logs for example as opposed to more open grassy Black Grouse leks.
Some notes here on those surveyed in Alberta.
Ruffed grouse (coastal races)/0.5 hours before sunrise to 2.5 after/ Mid March - late April/ Drumming by males
Ruffed grouse (interior races)/0.5 hours before sunrise to 1.0 after/ Mid April - late May /Drumming by males
Hope that helps little.
JohnR