Ruffed Grouse

Snow lay heavy at Stagleap yesterday morning, in wintry contrast to the bare ground of the valleys. As we drove along, Alison-of-the-aquiline-gaze spotted a chicken-like head poking up above the snow; its owner was still there after our cautious u-turn.

Ruffed Grouse are common here in southern British Columbia, but I, at least, rarely see them. This one slowly made its way upslope as we watched, its snowshoed feet lifted slowly and tentatively with each uphill step.