ML601555711

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

LIFER!!! After last night's phone discussion, Brenda and Harvey picked us up from Sandra's cousin Janice's at promptly 0845 hrs. Thus began our search for my nemesis species. However, there soon was a note of dismay in the vehicle, when the birds were NOT at their "usual" morning location!!! :( :( :( Then at 0855 hrs, Brenda made a SUPERB spot of three birds sitting about half-way up in some willows about 100 metres away at nearby "Ptarmigan Alley"/aka a local snowmobile trail! We parked, then slowly made our way towards them. As it turned out, we ended up finding a small flock of seven WIPT, shuffling along the sled trail with their well-feathered feet!!! While an all-to-brief experience, it was simply AMAAAAAZING to finally see this species after nearly 40 years of birding!!!!!!! :) :) :) We were able to approach within 7 metres, noting the following field marks: Medium-sized, stocky grouse with completely white plumage, including heavily feathered legs and feet; dark eyes, as well as fairly-thick dark bills; their tails were black. We had an excellent look at the latter when the birds flushed, flying low above the sled trail for a short distance. The flock then landed, quickly dispersing into adjacent willow tangles, where I managed to obtain a few lousy "record shot" images. Will upload them later. Needless to say, also NEW for 2013!!! ;P

Technical information

Model

Canon PowerShot SX240 HS

ISO

100

Focal length

4.5 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/3.5

Shutter speed

1/60 sec

Dimensions

1024 pixels x 768 pixels

Original file size

223.83 KB