Ptarmigan => Blue Grouse

[MHW <pooder at xmission dot com>]

I stand corrected on the Ptarmigan, which could only have been a Blue 
Grouse.

Well, not being quite the font of knowledge that others are, I guess 
what I saw at Cedar Breaks, yes the one and only in Southern Utah, could 
only have been a Blue Grouse, not a Ptarmigan.  Like I said, I did not 
get a good view, but the sound of the birds wings was that of a large 
bird like a Grouse or Ptarmigan.  The bird was most assuredly perched 
high up in a group of Aspen and Pine trees.  It did not fly off when I 
walked under it, but it flew from branch to branch to better hide 
itself, I presume  So, deferring to those more knowledgeable, it must 
have been a Blue Grouse.  Thanks to those who e-mailed me.

While I'm at it, I am amazed at how many birds some of you can identify 
in a seemingly short time.  And some of the birds identified are so 
slightly different, I just wonder how you do it.  I don't doubt that 
your identifications are correct, it is just a wonder how you do it.  
Now, I'm sure that practice and training play a role.

Happy Birding!

Matthew.

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