Dominance
Male greater prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) of the grouse family (Phasianidae) vying for dominance in the mating lek in a managed prairie in south-central Illinois.
Once common on the Great Plains, the population of the greater prairie chicken has sharply declined due to the conversion of natural prairies to agricultural land. With the population still in decline, the species is considered vulnerable. Numerous initiatives are attempting to provide suitable habitat and stimulate population growth. The birds in this shot are from such an initiative in south-central Illinois.
Shot from a tripod inside a blind
Camera: Pentax K5
Lens: Sigma 150-500mm
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/1000
Aperture: ƒ/6.3
ISO: 800
IMGP8556.m
Dominance
Male greater prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) of the grouse family (Phasianidae) vying for dominance in the mating lek in a managed prairie in south-central Illinois.
Once common on the Great Plains, the population of the greater prairie chicken has sharply declined due to the conversion of natural prairies to agricultural land. With the population still in decline, the species is considered vulnerable. Numerous initiatives are attempting to provide suitable habitat and stimulate population growth. The birds in this shot are from such an initiative in south-central Illinois.
Shot from a tripod inside a blind
Camera: Pentax K5
Lens: Sigma 150-500mm
Focal length: 500mm
Shutter speed: 1/1000
Aperture: ƒ/6.3
ISO: 800
IMGP8556.m