The strategy was to run the lek route as early as possible (i.e., as soon as there was light enough to count grouse), and as fast as possible.

To get all six strutting grounds counted before there was enough breeze and light for golden eagles to get airborne.

And it worked.

Almost.

On the first ground dark and early, made my three counts, and then off through the dunes on the faint two-track shortcut to the oil field. I was worried as I turned the corner to see the meadow where the grouse strut on lek number two.

Full of dark little specks. Grouse.

No eagle.

No birds on lek number three, but there never is anymore. Just always gotta check it to be sure.

Grouse strutting away on lek four. Not as many as yesterday, but still a good count. Likewise for number five.

Then I haul ass for the sixth and last lek on this route. Just a few miles away (you have to backtrack past number four), and we're not even an hour after sunrise. There is hope...

Or there was, until I got to the gate just two-tenths of a mile from the last, largest lek. And there, perched on a post just a little ways down the fenceline was...

A g-d m-f eagle.

You know what I found on the last strutting ground.

Yet another run of this route ruined. I've wasted three mornings already on this route because of those eagles, and now we'll waste one more tomorrow. Strutting season is passing fast. I got no time to waste any mornings, much less three.

I really, really, really hate eagles this time of year.

Sunrise this morning, as I pulled in to count the second strutting ground.