Red Grouse (F) - Lagopus lagopus
Canon 800mm f6.3 for 1/250th @ iso400
The recent snow across the North West prompted a trip to the moors, which was not as productive as I had hoped for. The heather covered hills were truly covered in snow and the road along the top virtually unrecognisable in parts hidden under a thick covering of snow and very crunchy sections of ice. Aside from the noise of the chilly north wind blowing across the hills, the only movement was the tops of the snow laden heather moving in the ice cold wind. Wildlife was hidden in the gaps in the heather and the grouse staid silent. This female was busy feeding on the heather and obligingly sat around for a while, the sun was not so obliging and although either side of the bird appearing the sun shone brightly it sat tightly behind a cloud while I photographed.
The recent snow across the North West prompted a trip to the moors, which was not as productive as I had hoped for. The heather covered hills were truly covered in snow and the road along the top virtually unrecognisable in parts hidden under a thick covering of snow and very crunchy sections of ice. Aside from the noise of the chilly north wind blowing across the hills, the only movement was the tops of the snow laden heather moving in the ice cold wind. Wildlife was hidden in the gaps in the heather and the grouse staid silent. This female was busy feeding on the heather and obligingly sat around for a while, the sun was not so obliging and although either side of the bird appearing the sun shone brightly it sat tightly behind a cloud while I photographed.