I got to spend time with another ruffed grouse this last week as he continued to drum late into spring. This one’s name is Scottie. Named by a friend of ours who owns the property where the drumming log is located.

I’ve had the privilege to work with Scottie for several years now so he has become very tolerant of me being around him. He drums from sunrise to noon just about every day of the week in the spring puffing himself up and showing everyone, he is king of this part of the forest. When I spend a morning with Scottie, he occasionally jumps off the log and flies up into the nearby birch trees for a snack. 

Scottie lets me sit on the log next to him so I can get some pretty awesome closeups.

To see more of Paul's photos, visit his website here. 

To learn more about Paul, read our exclusive 'Meet Your Cook County Neighbor' interview with him here.