A short, brief entry. Because, well, I can't seem to let a day go by without one. And because I haven't downloaded today's pictures, yet.

The last run of the strutting ground route in the dune country. "Last" because, although there were grouse on the first three leks where they are supposed to be, the numbers were all less than they were two weeks ago. The strut is definitely slowing down. Since the point of these standard routes is to try to get a count near the peak of the strut, and that has passed, hence no more routes.

This year.

And what of the other two leks on the route, you might ask?

Well, at the next to the last one, the cocks were already walking off, even though I got there only a half-hour or so after sunrise. Park the rig to find no grouse on the lek. Only during my second sweep of the area did I see the four cocks walking right past the truck, clucking away like workers headed to the after-hours bar.

Full moon, you know. They're getting tired, and losing their enthusiasm.

And the last lek?

Well, let's just say I still hate eagles. Especially that young one that swooped low over the lek and then landed on it, literally seconds before I could get to the top of the hill to count.

And so, to bed. They say snow by morning, but I think not.