The season of spring is distinctly noted in the images, as the color phase of the Rock ptarmigan in conjunction with the new green shoots on the plants are telling signs. This bird staked out a territory near our camp along the Nigu river, and made his calls frequently in quest of a mate. We called him Rocky, and enjoyed his sounds. If you are a bird enthusiast, the call of a Rock ptarmigan is quite different from that of a Willow ptarmigan (pictured in the tree). Both are humourous clucking variations.
Rock ptarmigan, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 500mm f4L IS, with 1.4x, 1/160 sec @ f5.6, ISO 400.
Willow ptarmigan, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4L IS with 1/4x, 1/200 sec @ 5.6, ISO 400
