Sharp!

We are not "Birders" but we have a friend who is. He gave us a tip on viewing the mating rituals of the Sharp Tailed Grouse in Northern Michigan.

We left our home at 5 AM in order to arrive at the secret destination before sunrise. We parked on the side of the road and waited. Just as the sun was coming up we saw our first bird. It landed in a tree. Then another and another.Then dozens dropped in out of the sky to the ground. They immediately began posturing and dancing! They dance like an old fashioned wind up toy, jumping and running and challenging other males. Oh, did I mention that pretty much all of these birds were males. The females are somewhere on the sidelines for days or weeks until they are darn good and ready to join in the fun.

After about an hour they stop, or at least slow down. Eventually they disperse. But it is quite a show if you get up early and go looking. It makes me wonder what other wonders are happening around us that we are unaware of. I intend to find at least some of them!