RED GROUSE AT GRINTON LODGE Throughout Britain there are a number of places where it is somewhat easier to photograph specific wildlife. Grinton Lodge in North Yorkshire is one such place, and Red Grouse can be photographed from the car, reasonably easily. I decided to visit in early Spring, when hopefully the Grouse would be getting more vocal and showing themselves as the breeding season approached. An important piece of kit was my window tray which slots over the car door and provides a stable base for the camera. On the first day I drove up into the moors and onto the unfamiliar winding roads. The weather wasn't too bad; fairly overcast, but with the promise of some sunshine behind the moving clouds. The trip was pot-luck; their were plenty of Grouse - but that still didn't mean anything was a certainty. As I pondered my decision, my first Grouse appeared... I couldn't believe it - just literally by the roadside! Stood on a raised tussock, this beautiful male glared at me as I pulled up on the opposite side of the road. Still surprised at the apparent tameness of the bird, I reached for my camera and slowly moved it onto the beanbag. But as I went to shoot, he turned around and quickly scuttled off. Naturally, I was disappointed, but more than anything I was heartened to see a Grouse at such close range - and with a bit of luck I would hopefully be able to bag some shots later on... |
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About half an hour's driving, and I spotted another male stood amongst the heather. Again, he seemed in fine condition.... I drove past, got my camera ready, and then slowly reversed back towards the Grouse. When I was finally in line with him, I stopped the car and switched off the engine. I looked through the camera and there he was, in exactly the same place. Although fairly close, he was partially obscured by heather, making it difficult to get a clear shot. I waited a while and finally he began to move. I took a few shots as he walked through the heather - and eventually he stopped on a raised tussock, adopted a nice posture and remained for a good five seconds or more. |
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| The next morning I was back up on the moors. Deciding that most of the activity seemed to be concentrated in the same area, I drove along the same stretch of road, scanning the roadside for any birds. My first Grouse appeared; but this time it was a female. Like so many female birds, their plumage is wonderfully camouflaged, yet so subtly attractive in appearance. My window platform was ready with beanbag and I slowly came to a hault. This time I has stopped on the same side of the road as the bird, so I was very close. The sun was shining beautifully with a nice warm glow and I began shooting. She was amazingly obliging, staying in the open whilst I enjoyed my photography. | ||
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| She seemed complety unperturbed by my presence and perfectly relaxed. She even came closer to the car as if curious at what was going on. The light was picking out the heather particularly well and with a wide aperture I was able to blur background and foreground nicely. I was thinking that things couldn't get much better, when a beautiful proud male came striding into view. My reactions quickened, knowing that anything might happen. He approached the female with intent, but she didn't seem too interested. A brief chase ensued before they both settled down - seeming more interested in my car than each other. The high heather made it difficult to get a clear shot, but I managed one image showing the male and female together. This shot is a real bonus... | ||
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This is probably my favourite image from the 2 day trip. With so many good pictures of Red Grouse around, I hoped that I could get something very different. Although the bird is very small within the frame, there is a natural composition owing to the texture and colour of the heather and the grasses which contrast nicely. Again, this shot also emphasizes the natural environment in which the Grouse live.
Paul Miguel
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