Greater Prairie Chickens - Click for more photos Last weekend I had the opportunity to photograph Greater Prairie Chickens at the Dunn Ranch Prairie in Northern Missouri with fellow photographers Harsha J. and Larry Williams (and five other guests). We entered the blind in the dark about 5:30 AM and waited quietly for the Prairie Chickens to arrive. We heard them before we could see them or had enough light for photos. Apparently they have been coming to this same 'Lek' or 'booming grounds' every Spring for many many years to do their annual mating ritual. They prefer native prairie and do their booming in areas with short grass. As the sky got lighter (we were treated to a nice sunrise) we could watch the males flip up feathers on the back of their heads to look like big ears and and puff out orange sacks on the sides of their necks in an attempt to impress the females and defend their territory against other males. They rapidly stomp their feet with their head down while making low moaning sounds or loud cackles. It is common for males to square off against each other jumping in the air and coming down on the other bird with their feet extended in a show of aggression.
(Please click to see more photos.)
The Dunn Ranch, managed by the Nature Conservancy, is over 3,000 acres of native (or restored) prairie, with about 1,000 acres that has never been plowed. It is a part of the 70,000 acre Grand River Grasslands which spans southern Iowa and Northern Missouri. In addition to the Greater Prairie Chickens there is a herd of about 100 Bison and many wild birds and animals. Recent sightings on the booming grounds include Ring-necked Pheasants, Meadowlarks, a Great Horned Owl, Coyotes and more.
(Please click to see more photos.)
The Dunn Ranch, managed by the Nature Conservancy, is over 3,000 acres of native (or restored) prairie, with about 1,000 acres that has never been plowed. It is a part of the 70,000 acre Grand River Grasslands which spans southern Iowa and Northern Missouri. In addition to the Greater Prairie Chickens there is a herd of about 100 Bison and many wild birds and animals. Recent sightings on the booming grounds include Ring-necked Pheasants, Meadowlarks, a Great Horned Owl, Coyotes and more.
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