A Ruffed Grouse at Pinery!

As we drove along an interior road, I saw a Ruffed Grouse fly perpendicularly towards the back of our car. In the mirror, I watched it fly along side the car for about 25 feet until we came to a stop. It landed right in front of us and posed for pictures! I think it was too "chicken" to cross the road, or perhaps it thought we were a threat. I have heard of them attacking car wheels before.

It has been many years since I last saw a Ruffed Grouse at Pinery Provincial Park, although we have heard them drumming on several occasions. The male Grouses' signature drumming display doesn't involve drumming on anything except air. As the bird quickly rotates its wings forward and backward, air rushes in beneath the wings creating a miniature vacuum that generates a deep, thumping sound wave. The sound can carry up to a quarter of a mile.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruffed_Grouse/overview

Bald Eagles were viewed soaring on a few occasions.

Thousands of tiny fish were seen from the Burley Bridge. It will be awhile before they are of much interest to the Eagles in the area.

A Bumblebee species drinking from a tiny Rockcress flower.