Spruce Grouse

This is mainly for all the Moon boys. Me and Tyler, my neighbor went our Saturday to try to find some grouse. After a nice hike in the pristine Alaska forest, we found one. Tyler was gracious enough to let me shoot it, because I had never shot this kind of species of grouse before. Here are some pictures showing its coloration and distinct differences from Utah ruffed and blue grouse species:

Happy hunter with the grouse. It was a male, so it has some cool markings...

Notice the tale has no bars, but has a cool golden band across the tips of the tail feathers.

The feet have a lot of extra feathers. This makes it easier to walk on top of the snow. Almost like wearing snowshoes (weight displacement).

The grouse also had a bright red "eye comb" above its eyes (not pictured).

Thought I'd also throw this pic in for the Moon boys. This is the grayling I caught in the beautiful waters of "Ling Lake II" a few weeks back. Tyler was able to get me a copy (he took this picture on his camera). If this fish was just two inches or bigger, I would have gotten it mounted. It was a striking dark iridescent color. I caught him on a Uintah-type fly on my second cast.

Needless to say, I am going to be sure to head back up to our grouse spot more this year. I am anxious for the snow to fly so I can walk the logging roads and try to cut their tracks. Alaska also has ruffed grouse, but not very many. Most ruffed grouse stick to the aspens, which almost every place I have been hiking so far are birch and spruce forests. Hence, spruce grouse.