Willow grouse taking off from its hiding place. Very difficult to spot these fellas in the undergrowth before they flush, and usually you are almost on top of them when they do. Always a proper jump scare.

#willowgrouse #grouse #lapland #nordics #wildlife #birdphotography #naturephotography #landscape #landscapephotography #tamron #sony #nature #finland #birdphoto

Another shot of a baby willow grouse. In a good year, these little ones run around your legs in abundance. They are so cute. Their mothers pretend to be injured, dragging a wing behind to attract attention—only to fly away at the last moment.

#willowgrouse #babybird #wildlife #nature #hiking #wilderness #finland #outdoorlife #birdwatching #solohiking #photography #bird #backpacking

Brooding Black Grouse. This grouse made her nest directly on a path created by reindeer. While on my way to pick up trash someone had left at a permanent (and not so legal) campsite in the Vätsäri Wilderness Area, Finland, I almost stepped on her and nearly jumped out of my skin when she took off literally right under my feet. Luckily, I didn’t step on the nest or eggs. Later in the evening, I went back to find the nest and snapped this picture. I could see her being super scared, so I didn’t stay for too long.

#blackgrouse #hiking #wildlife #nature #finland #wilderness #freedomtoroam #photography #bird #sonyalpha

Baby Willow Grouse crying for mama. Quite difficult to get a picture of one as they are well hidden in the foliage and only leave their hiding place if you almost step on them. And even then, they are super fast to run into the next cover and vanish.

#finland #hiking #adventure #lapland #photography #nature #wildlife #bird #willowgrouse #outdoors #sonyalpha #fjells #mountains

Willow Grouse eggs in the nest built under foliage on the ground. Quite difficult to spot these as the camouflage is good and they are well hidden from the prying eye and predators.

#hiking #wildlife #willowgrouse #birdphotos #naturelovers #outdoorlife #wildlifephotography #birdwatching #finland #lapland #bird