Photo: Ptarmigan change color with the leaves

WILDLIFE WATCHING — Just as the leaves are changing changing color on the trees this month, a member of the grouse family is slowly changing colors to eventually blend into its mountain wintering areas.

White-tailed ptarmigan are the species you’re most likely to see in the North Cascades and high areas of Montana and British Columbia.

The willow ptarmigan that Montana outdoor photographer Jaimie Johnson captured with his camera this week in northern turndra is showing its colors (above), and what will be its lack of color in a month or so when the snow blankets the high ridges.

“These birds are really great,” Johnson said. “We love to sit and listen to their sounds – they sound like a cartoon! We can’t help but laugh when we hear them!”

• Another critter that changes from summer camouflage to white for winter — the snowshoe hare .
• And don’t forget the short-tailed weasel a.k.a. ermine .