The fourth run of my lek route out in the desert.

Clouds from yesterday's weather were still hanging around, but the land was dry. And I was on time.

Arrived at my lookout point over the first lek well before sunup, and had nothing to do but wait for enough light to make my counts.

And watch the sun rise.

Then I raced the sun as I dashed west to the second lek.

But, of course, the sun won.

Got good counts on all five leks. And breathed a sigh of relief, as there aren't enough mornings left in the strutting season to waste one redoing this route.

Total was 329 cocks. Compared to 354 on this same route a week ago. Looks like we may be past the peak.

Then it was another mad dash further west, to just one more lek. Watching two hens meander amongst their bevy of males, trying to decide if any one was worthy.

Apparently not. At least, not today.

And I wondered what the young couple was doing out here in the desert so early in the morning, in their white SUV and white truck.

Then back to town, enjoying a breakfast of the wife's chocolate chip muffins as I drove.