Ptarmigan at Artist Point, Mt Baker

[Eric Ellingson]

  After many years of unsuccessful attempts at finding the elusive ptarmigan, I've finally had my second viewing, a couple of miles out from Artist Point.  I spent an hour with a family of 8. Mom and 7chicks.  It was great sitting, watching, photographing, and videoing them as they went about their business. Much of the time all of them were actively foraging on the buds of heather. On occasion, it looked like both Mom and chicks were eating small, almost sandlike pebbles. I'll have to explore what that is about.  Other times there was the dust bath behavior, scratching around in small dusty areas and fluttering about.  When hikers came by Mom would get to a higher spot to see what was out there. When Ravens flew over calling they took cover, Mom went close to a big rock, mostly out of sight and the chicks hunkered down in vegetation, except one chick who did not get the memo and kept foraging. I'm not sure if it is a thing but it seemed they were eating mostly white heather buds rather than the more abundant pink buds. Has anyone noticed or 

familiar with what that is about?

There was not much else up there bird-wise, other than a few American Pipits, one viewing of a Gray-crowned Rosy-finch. Of note with one of the pipits, one had a completely bald, dark-gray head. A mom who had it with her kids and pulled her hair out? It was actively foraging, gathering insects, and then heading off with them. I don't think bird photography would be much of a thing if birds did not have feathers. It was quite an ugly head.

Photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericellingson/

The chick photos are first followed by the adult. Video not processed yet.

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Eric Ellingson

esell...@gmail.com

360-820-6396

[Suzetta]

Thanks for posting I sure enjoyed the photos.

Suzetta

[Annie Huang]

Wow, very impressive. Was it near the Ptarmigan trail junction? 

I encountered a white Ptarmigan during an early summer hike on Ptarmigan Ridge Trail at one of the snow fields a few years back. It was unexpected so there was no photo taken. Ever since then, I had been wondering about it and always wanted to bring my telephoto lens with me when hiking that trail. 

Congratulations on finding them again. 

Best regards,

 

Annie Huang

(360) 820-5055

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[mblac...@rockisland.com]

Great photos, thanks so much for sharing.

Mary Blackstone

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[Pauline Sterin]

Wow, what an experience! I would say you’re one lucky birder, except I know how often you’re out there and how much effort you put into these great shots. You’ve earned your luck. Hope you get answers to your behavior questions.

Pauline Sterin

On Aug 6, 2022, at 11:42 AM, Eric Ellingson <esell...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Mary Ann Percy]

Thanks for the beautiful photos and wonderful story.  I had my first encounter with a WTP hiking out from an overnight at Arbuthnot Lake, several years ago,

 very close to the junction with Chain Lakes trail.  She was standing maybe 6" in front a low lying shrub and we considered that she might be protecting her chicks, so we didn't linger.  Beautiful to see!