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Dancing Grouse Photography Tour
Join me for a 4 hour tour to view sharp-tailed grouse while they dance near sunrise. To impress the females, male grouse run frantically across the prairie like spinning robots while stomping furiously on the ground, raising their tail, lifting their wings and emitting weird sounds. Brief duels often break out between competing males. I should be able to get you close to the action to take photos or video of this exciting ritual.
This self-driving tour is offered near sunrise in April and May.
Meeting Point
Flying J Travel Center
- Flying J Travel Center is located on the NE corner of Idylwyld Drive North and Marquis Drive near the north edge of Saskatoon. The address is 3850 Idylwyld Dr N, Saskatoon, SK S7P 0A1. The entrance to this property is located at the traffic lights on Marquis Drive, 1 block east of Idylwyld on Marquis Drive. Please meet me at the south outside entrance to the main building containing the Denny's Restaurant. There are public washrooms in this building open 24 hours per day.
Drive to Sharp-tailed Grouse dancing ground
I will guide you in the dark as you drive your vehicle to the site where the birds dance. You will need to drive across rough ground on a private farm.
Just before reaching the site, I will ask you to cover the windows on the right (passenger) side of your vehicle with dark towels or other dark cloth material. By covering these windows, the grouse are less likely to be disturbed by your presence close to them on the dancing ground.
Once you arrive, you may open the windows on the left side of your vehicle and turn off the vehicle engine. You will need to wait about 30 minutes before it becomes light enough to see the birds.
Observe and Photograph Dancing Sharp-tailed Grouse Up Close
Once it becomes light, you may watch the dances of the Sharp-tailed Grouse on the prairie grassland to the left of your vehicle. It is best if your passenger sits in the rear seat. Each dance lasts about 10 seconds. The birds will raise their tail, open their wings, expose purple skin on their breast and stomp the ground rapidly. It sounds like a machine gun.
Generally each male bird faces another male during each dance. After each dance, the 2 grouse sit down and face each other in a staring contest. Occasionally, there might be a fight between male birds.
We will wait on the site for roughly 4 hours until the birds leave on their own. We normally depart the site between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.
Return to Meeting Point
Once the birds leave the site, I will guide you back to the Flying J Travel Center where the tour ends. There is a restaurant and public washrooms at this location.
Ending Point
Flying J Travel Center
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Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide Fee and permission to access private property.
Transportation costs (car rental, gas, etc.)
Hotel Accommodation
Meals
The only cash you need to bring is for a post-tour meal.
Tour Important Information
* Participants must drive their own personal or rented vehicle.
* The temperature may be chilly during this tour so wear warm winter clothes (long underwear, heavy coat, gloves, hat, warm boots, etc.)
* There are no washrooms available during the tour. You cannot leave your vehicle while the grouse are dancing. I recommend that you do not drink anything before the tour.
* I recommend that you bring a camera with a telephoto lens.
* Binoculars are optional but may be helpful for seeing details on the birds.
Important message from the guide
For driving tours, clients generally need to drive their own personal or rented vehicle. I can ride in your vehicle. If you prefer, I can drive your vehicle if you accept liability in case of accident.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
