Snow Birds by Dan Walters

By Dan Walters

Most species that live above tree line have either turned in for the winter or retreated to lower elevations, except for one; the White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus). This very hardy bird makes for a great subject to photograph.

First a little natural history about Ptarmigans: The smallest of the North American Grouse, Ptarmigan turn pure white in the winter and blend in perfectly with their environment. They prefer walking to flying in order to conserve energy, and they also grow feathers on their feet in order to conserve even more body heat. During the coldest temperatures, they will often dig snow burrows or huddle in close groups. They also have feathers around their nostrils to help warm the air.

In the winter, Ptarmigans diet consists mainly of willows and during really bad winters, they will travel to lower elevations to find more food. In the summer, they will feed on leaves, buds and insects.

(C) Dan Walters

When spring finally makes it up to the alpine areas, the Ptarmigan will begin to lose their white feathers, to be replaced by a mottled brown. Also during this time, males will establish breeding territories waiting for the females to arrive and then the competition begins. The male will strut in front of the female, fanning their tail feathers and flaring the red comb above the eye. Ptarmigan will build their nests on the ground in a slight depression where the females usually incubate around eight eggs for 25 to 27 days.

Photographing these masters of disguise can be quite the challenge. In the winter, once you spot the tracks, you can usually follow them right to the birds. Also, look for willows, since they feed on them during the winter.

(C) Dan Walters

Once you find them, they are fairly easy to photograph. I usually just sit there for awhile and let them get used to my presence. I will then move slowly toward, keeping fairly low to the ground. Once I am within distance, I start to photograph them and usually get by with a 300 or even a 70-200 mm lens. I like to shoot low to the ground so I am more on their level because I feel this makes a more intimate image. Once they feel you are not a threat, they will often walk right by you.

(C) Dan Walters

For accurate exposure I keep an eye on the histogram because it is easy to over expose a white bird against snow! I always shoot raw in case I over expose a little I can easily recover some detail in the whites.

A great time to photograph these birds is in the fall, right between late September and early October. They are right in between their summer and winter molt. This makes for an interesting image, especially against the reds and yellows of the changing vegetation.

(c) Dan Walters

One of the best locations in Colorado to look for ptarmigan is Guanella Pass where I can usually find them among the willows. In winter they stop plowing two miles from the top so snowshoes are a good idea since there is usually a lot of snow up there. Other areas to find Ptarmigan is Mount Evans above Summit Lake in the Summer (the road is closed in the winter), and Rocky Mountain National Park along Trail Ridge Road.

(C) Dan Walters

Because these birds are above tree line in the winter, it is always advisable to pay attention to any avalanche danger. Also, roads that are usually open in the summer are closed, so it is possible you will have a long trek in front of you. Bring plenty of water, food, extra clothing, an avalanche beacon and someone to go with. There is always safety in numbers!

Dan Walters “I have been photographing wildlife for about 15 years. When I capture an image, I try not just to document what I saw, but capture the personality of the animals I am photographing. I do this by combining light, eye contact and a clean background.Colorado is a great place to photograph wildlife. From it’s high peaks to the prairie, there is a wide variety of wildlife to photograph.
www.danwaltersphoto.

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