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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Prairie grouse are in the mood this month

A male sharpt-tailed grouse displays and dances during its mating season in April. (Jaimie Johnson)
A male sharpt-tailed grouse displays and dances during its mating season in April. (Jaimie Johnson)

WILDLIFE WATCHING -- April is like party time for prairie grouse, as Montana outdoor photographer Jaime Johnson reminds us with this photo of a dancing male sharptail.

Johnson shot the image above this week in Montana from a blind at the site -- known as a lek -- where males congregate to display and win the opportunity to breed with nearby females.

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse have declined dramatically in Washington, where there are efforts to protect habitat and revive their numbers.

 



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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