Latest Dispatches Archives

Appeal filed over Palmer Project mine exploration near Chilkat River bald eagle preserve

November 8, 2022 by John L. Dengler

A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) drags a chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) onto the gravel bar of the Chilkat River in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska. During late fall, bald eagles congregate along the Chilkat River to feed on salmon. This gathering of bald eagles in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is believed to be one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world. The preserve is located downstream of where Constantine Metal Resources, Ltd. is exploring an area known as the Palmer Deposit as a location for a hardrock mine. (John L. Dengler)

The conflict over putting in a hard-rock mine near the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska took a new turn recently with the filing of an appeal on November 3, 2022, by an Alaska Native Tlingit tribe and five environmental groups. The group’s appeal is to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation regarding the waste management permit for the Palmer Project’s exploration project in the watershed of the Chilkat River.

Glacier Creek - the pictured mountainside is the side of the proposed exploratory mine tunnel

The Palmer Project plan calls for contaminated wastewater to be discharged near Glacier Creek (above photo), a tributary of the Chilkat River. The project area in the mountainside (pictured above) is the proposed site of a mile-long exploration tunnel. Environmental groups fear that the tunnel would intercept groundwater contaminated by blasting activities and drain into the headwaters of Glacier Creek.

*Gate to the Palmer Project worksite along Glacier Creek*

The appeal was filed by Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm, which is representing the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, the Takshanuk Watershed Council, Lynn Canal Conservation, Audubon Alaska, and Rivers Without Borders.

“Many people in the Chilkat Valley live a traditional subsistence way of life that relies on clean water. The wastewater discharge permit is a serious threat to them, and to everyone who relies on the tourism and commercial fishing that the valley’s pristine waters support. A Clean Water Act discharge permit, at the very least, is needed to ensure that the Palmer Project mine complies with legal protections for Alaska’s waters,” said Erin Colón, attorney for Earthjustice in a press release announcing the appeal.

The conflict over putting in a hardrock mine near the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska took a new turn recently with the filing of a lawsuit by an Alaska Native Tlingit tribe and three environmental groups. The group is suing the Bureau of Land Management, saying that the agency granted mineral exploration permits without considering how a mine could affect the Chilkat River's salmon and the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Joining the Tlingit village of Klukwan in the lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management are the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, Lynn Canal Conservation and Rivers Without Borders. They are represented by Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm. The group is asking for mining permits to be revoked. Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia along with investment partner Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. of Japan is exploring a potential site, known as the Palmer Deposit for a mine (located upper center right) just above Glacier Creek (not visible) and the Klehini River (foreground). Pictured in the rear of the photo is Saksaia Glacier. Support for a large scale mine is divided among residents of Haines. The community’s needed economic boost from jobs that a large-scale mine brings is tempting to some. To others, anything that might put the salmon spawning and rearing habitat and watershed resources at risk is simply unimaginable and unacceptable. Of particular concern is copper and other heavy metals in mine waste leaching into the Klehini River (shown) and the Chilkat River 14 miles downstream. Copper and heavy metals are toxic to salmon and bald eagles. The Chilkat River chum salmon are the primary food source for one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world. Each fall, bald eagles congregate in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, located only three miles downriver from the area of current exploration. (John L. Dengler) — This mountainside is an area of exploration. To the left is the Saksaia Glacier, also in the project area. In the foreground is the Klehini River.

Recently, shareholders of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia approved the company’s acquisition by American Pacific Mining of British Columbia. Under the acquisition, American Pacific Mining would own 45% of the project, and investment partner Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. of Japan owning the majority.

Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia along with investment partner Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. of Japan have been exploring a potential site for a mine just above Glacier Creek and the Klehini River near the British Columbia border. This area (center, on the mountainside in the above photo) is known as the Palmer Deposit. The river at the bottom of the photo is the Klehini River, a tributary of the Chilkat River. The minerals that Constantine’s drilling explorations found are primarily copper and zinc, with significant amounts of gold and silver. Exploratory drilling to refine the location and mineral amounts has been the current focus of the company.

If approved and developed, the mine, near Haines, Alaska would be an underground mine, desirable because of the nearby highway access for transporting ore to the deepwater port at Haines. The Haines Highway can be seen on the right in the photo above. Also pictured is the area of exploration on the mountainside in the above photo(upper left area of photo), Glacier Creek (along the bottom of the photo), and the Klehini River (right side of the photo).

Community conflicted over the Palmer Deposit exploration

Support for a large-scale mine, such as the Palmer Project, is divided among residents of Haines, a small community in Southeast Alaska 75 miles northwest of Juneau. The community’s needed economic boost from jobs, development, and other mine support that a large-scale mine brings is tempting to some. To others, anything that might put the salmon spawning and rearing habitat and watershed resources at risk is simply unimaginable and unacceptable. Of particular concern is copper and other heavy metals in mine waste leaching into the Klehini River and the Chilkat River 14 miles downstream. Copper and heavy metals are toxic to salmon and bald eagles.

The Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve near Haines, Alaska is the location of one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world each fall. In this photo, nearly 60 bald eagles can be seen in the cottonwood trees along the Chilkat River at the confluence with the Tsirku River. The 48,000 acre area was designated as a preserve in 1982. The preserve is located downstream of where Constantine Metal Resources, Ltd. is exploring an area known as the Palmer Deposit as a location for a hardrock mine. (John L. Dengler)

The Chilkat River chum salmon are the primary food source for one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world. Each fall, bald eagles congregate in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, located only three miles downriver from the area of current exploration.

Male chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) make their way up the special spawning channel of Herman Creek to spawn with female chum salmon during the fall chum salmon run. The nonprofit Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, Inc. (NSRAA) built the channel to collect wild broodstock by harvesting spawning female and male salmon for their eggs and milt. These chum salmon are returning to freshwater Herman Creek near Haines, Alaska after three to five years in the saltwater ocean. Spawning only once, chum salmon die approximately two weeks after they spawn. Both sexes of adult chum salmon change colors and appearance upon returning to freshwater. Unlike male sockeye salmon which turn bright red for spawning, male chum salmon change color to an olive green with purple and green vertical stripes. These vertical stripes are not as noticeable in females, who also have a dark horizontal band. Both male and female chum salmon develop hooked snout (type) and large canine teeth. These features in female salmon are less pronounced. Herman Creek is a tributary of the Klehini River and is only 10 miles downstream of the area currently being explored, known as the Palmer Deposit, as a potential site of a copper and zinc mine. The exploration is being conducted by Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia along with investment partner Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. of Japan. Some local residents and environmental groups are concerned that a mine might threaten the area’s salmon. Of particular concern is copper and other heavy metals, found in mine waste, leaching into the Klehini River and the Chilkat River further downstream. Copper and heavy metals are toxic to salmon and bald eagles. Chilkat River and Klehini River chum salmon are the primary food source for one of the largest gatherings of bald eagles in the world. Each fall, bald eagles congregate in the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, located only three miles downriver from the area of current exploration. (© John L. Dengler/Dengler Images)

Late fall view of the Klehini River (foreground). The snow-covered mountainside in the upper right is above Glacier Creek, a tributary of the Klehini River. Palmer Deposit explorations have been taking place on that mountainside.

In August 2015, Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. of Vancouver, British Columbia submitted a plan with the BLM to extend their existing access road by 2.5 miles including a switchback road leading to a staging area at the 800 ft. level on the side of the 1,700 ft. mountainside (left). A proposed bridge crossing Glacier Creek would be located in the shadow area in the lower center of the photo with a switchback road leading from Glacier Creek to the staging area for helicopter and ground-supported activities on the left. The road would also provide access to up to 40 new exploration drill sites. Pictured in the background is the Klehini River. A map showing exactly how this road would appear can be found here

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Nature’s Window: Spring melt

June 21, 2022 by John L. Dengler

Upper McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park surges with water, tumbling over McDonald Falls on a late Spring day in May.

Climate change is affecting the park. Glacier National Park is currently home to 26 glaciers. Compare that to the 80 glaciers that existed in the park in 1850. Based on the current rate of climate change, there may not be any glaciers in Glacier National Park in 2030. Already, some of the remaining 26 glaciers are considered too small to be considered glaciers. Between 1966 and 2015, every named glacier in the park got smaller, some by more than 80%.

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Capturing memories of Glacier National Park with a cell phone camera

June 19, 2022 by John L. Dengler

While I spent most of a recent long-weekend trip to Glacier National Park in Montana lugging my heavy Nikon camera and lenses, I found myself without them during an impromptu hike to Avalanche Lake in the park.

The point I want to make is that it has been said that the best camera is the camera you have with you. In this case, all I had was my iPhone. Not having my super high-quality Nikon equipment forced me to approach photography differently. The best part was not being burdened by lugging the typical backpack of gear up the mountain. Being liberated from this made the hike enjoyable and allowed me to easily and quickly try different things.

It really is true. The best camera is the camera that you have with you. Would I have taken more technically better quality photos with my Nikon equipment? Probably, but without the iPhone on this hike on this day, I would have only had memories had I not had the phone.

The 4.5-mile roundtrip hike to the mountain lake was fun, relatively easy, with beautiful scenery. Included that day was a side-hike through a grove of giant western cedars on the Trail of the Cedars trail that connects with the Avalanche Lake Trail.

Western Red Cedar branch litter — *Twigs and small branches litter the forest floor under a giant western red cedar tree (Thuja plicata) along the Trail of the Cedars, a wheelchair-accessible trail in Glacier National Park.*

Western Red Cedar tree — One of the huge western red cedar trees along the Trail of the Cedars, a wheelchair-accessible trail, in Glacier National Park. The humidity of the Lake McDonald Valley enables the cedars to grow in size of 100 feet tall and diameters of four to seven feet, with many of the trees being more than 500 years old. The western red cedar is one of the most widespread trees in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from southern Alaska to northern California. This grove in Glacier National Park is near the eastern terminus of the western red cedar range.

Forest view of Trail of the Cedars — *The Trail of the Cedars, a wheelchair-accessible Glacier National Park trail, allows visitors entry to the magical world of a 500-year-old western red cedar / black cottonwood forest.*

Black cottonwood tree — In this photo, a black cottonwood tree (Populus balsamifera), foreground, is bathed in the dappled light of the forest. The fuzzy fruit of the tree floats in the air during the spring and early summer, creating the look of warm-season snow. They inhabit riparian areas, including streams.

Avalanche Creek gorge — Both the Trail of the Cedars and the Avalanche Lake Trail afford incredible views of the gorge of Avalanche Creek. This photo was taken very near where the easy Trail of the Cedars joins the more moderate-challenging Avalanche Lake Trail.

*Avalanche Creek overflows onto the forest floor along the 4.5-mile roundtrip hike to Avalanche Lake.*

Moss covered boulder — *A sliver of sunlight lights a moss-covered boulder—an excellent example of how photography is all about light.*

Rain approaches Avalanche Lake as seen from the Avalanche Lake Trail. Avalanche Lake was named in 1895 by a party including Dr. Lyman Sperry, namesake of the Sperry Glacier, who witnessed many avalanches during their stay. The meltwater from Sperry Glacier feeds the lake. Monument Falls can be seen cascading down the mountain in the background along the cliff face. Avalanche Lake is the destination of the 4.5-mile roundtrip Avalanche Lake Trail. This photo was taken with the iPhone panorama shooting feature.

Glacier National Park in the Rocky Mountains of Montana encompasses more than 1 million acres. The park’s nickname is the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.” The park was established in May 1910. Soon after, hotels and chalets were established in the park, including the Lake McDonald Lodge. In 1932 construction began on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, allowing automobiles to traverse the park. Climate change is affecting the park. As of 2010, only 25 active glaciers remain in the park, down from the 150 that existed in the mid-19th century.

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A wild grouse chase — the search for greater and lesser prairie-chickens

May 10, 2022 by John L. Dengler

KANSAS is home to two main species of prairie-chickens, lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) and greater prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus cupido), and some hybrids thrown in. The differences are subtle but easy to spot once you know what to look for. Recently, I accompanied my photography buddy and grouse expert, Noppadol Paothong, on a trip to Kansas to research lek locations (also known as booming grounds) for his future photography workshops.

The first stop was in western Kansas, where we met up with Stacy Hoeme. Stacy, a generous, easy-going, positive-attitude rancher, is an example of the modern cutting-edge farmer/rancher who has recognized the benefits of a strong land ethic. Stacy and his son Chasten approach land management with strategies that exceed those suggested by state and federal conservation programs. Their use of limited tillage and crop rotation has resulted in their pastures supporting some of the lesser prairie-chicken’s largest known populations and densities. For their efforts, the Hoemes were awarded the prestigious Leopold Award in 2018.

A male lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) takes flight from a lek on the Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch in Gove County, Kansas. Prairie chickens return to the same lek year after year to mate. Males attempt to entice female lesser prairie-chickens with a showy mating display on a lek During courtship on a lek, males inflate their red esophageal air sacs and hold erect pinnae on each side of the neck. They rapidly stomp their feet making a drumming-like sound. The booming call of lesser-prairie chickens, amplified by the air sacs, can be heard as far as a mile away. Lesser prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on. As of early 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed a status of proposed threatened or proposed endangered species. A ruling is expected in the summer of 2022. Lesser prairie-chickens are found in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas with about half of the current population living in western Kansas. — A male lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) takes flight from a lek on the Hoeme Ranch in Gove County, Kansas. Prairie chickens return to the same lek year after year to mate. The ranch’s landscape is spectacular with the sedimentary limestone Niobrara Chalk outcroppings of rock similar to the nearby Monument Rocks, a National Landmark.

Storm clouds begin to obscure a colorful sunset on the Home Family Farm and Ranch near Healy, Kansas. EDITORS NOTE: Image is a panorama composite of multiple overlapping images. — *Storm clouds begin to obscure a colorful sunset on the Home Family Farm and Ranch near Healy, Kansas.*

The evening sky on the first night with its encroaching ominous skies, foretold the upcoming dramatic storms that would come the following day. Much of the next day was a literal washout. While the rain put a damper on shooting, ranchers like Stacy welcomed the much-needed rain. Until this rain, the soil there had been seriously parched. I witnessed the effects of the drought a few weeks earlier when I drove back from Wyoming and my Columbian sharp-tailed grouse trip. Highway traffic along I-70 had to significantly drop speed due to the blowing dust and soil that eveloped the highway like a thick fog. It reminded me of the dust bowl photos from the 1930s.

A male lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) races across a lek to protect his spot from other males on the Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Ranch in Gove County, Kansas. Prairie chickens return to the same lek year after year to mate. Males attempt to entice female lesser prairie-chickens with a showy mating display on a lek During courtship on a lek, males inflate their red esophageal air sacs and hold erect pinnae on each side of the neck. They rapidly stomp their feet making a drumming-like sound. The booming call of lesser-prairie chickens, amplified by the air sacs, can be heard as far as a mile away. Lesser prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on. As of early 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed a status of proposed threatened or proposed endangered species. A ruling is expected in the summer of 2022. Lesser prairie-chickens are found in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas with about half of the current population living in western Kansas. — *A male lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) races across a lek to protect his spot from other males.*

Like other lekking birds (including greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and prairie chickens), lesser prairie chickens gather at spots known as leks (aka booming ground) to mate. Males perform a mating dance to entice females to mate. As part of that ritual, males also will fight for the best position on the lek. Males will fiercely protect their position. In the above photo, a lesser prairie chicken rushes to chase an intruding lesser prairie chicken out of its space. The photo also shows one of the ways to identify the difference between the lesser prairie chicken and the greater prairie-chicken. Note the size of the eye comb. Later, in this blog posting, you will see that the eye comb of the greater prairie chicken is smaller. Another difference is that the air sack of the lesser prairie chicken is redder, with the greater prairie-chicken being more orange-like.

A male lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) flutter jumps in an attempt to attract the attention of a female on a lek located on the Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Ranch in Gove County, Kansas. Prairie chickens return to the same lek year after year to mate. Males attempt to entice female lesser prairie-chickens with a showy mating display on a lek During courtship on a lek, males inflate their red esophageal air sacs and hold erect pinnae on each side of the neck. They rapidly stomp their feet making a drumming-like sound. The booming call of lesser-prairie chickens, amplified by the air sacs, can be heard as far as a mile away. Lesser prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on. As of early 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has placed a status of proposed threatened or proposed endangered species. A ruling is expected in the summer of 2022. Lesser prairie-chickens are found in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas with about half of the current population living in western Kansas. — *A male lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) flutter jumps in an attempt to attract the attention of a female.*

The uplifting flute-like vocalization of Western Meadowlark is a common sound to hear on the prairies of western and central Kansas. A colorful member of the blackbird family, the Western Meadowlark uses a feeding method that relies on its strong muscles that open its bill. They can insert their bill into soil, bark, etc., and then force it open to make a larger hole. This gives them an advantage over other birds to reach insects that most other birds can’t get to. This Western Meadowlark was photographed on the Hoeme Family Farm and Ranch Ranch in Gove County, Kansas. — *Western meadowlarks are a common sight and sound on the prairie*

One of my favorite things about hanging out on the prairie is listening to the uplifting flute-like vocalization of meadowlarks. In this case, it was a western meadowlark that I was hearing. A colorful member of the blackbird family, the western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) uses a feeding method that relies on strong muscles that open its bill very wide. They can insert their bill into soil, bark, etc., and then force their bill open to making a larger hole. This ability gives them an advantage over other birds to reach insects that most other birds can’t.

*A burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), lands next to another burrowing owl at the opening to an underground burrow.*

Another bonus from the trip to the Hoeme Ranch was the opportunity to observe burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia). In the above photo, a burrowing owl lands next to another burrowing owl at the opening of an underground burrow. Burrowing owls live in underground tunnels, often that they have taken over from prairie dogs, tortoises, and ground squirrels. While most owls are active at night, borrowing owls are active during the day, doing most of their hunting in the early morning or early evening. When threatened by a predator, the burrowing owl will retreat to the borrow and produce hissing and rattling sounds similar to that of a rattlesnake. Burrowing owls are often seen with just their eyes poking above the burrow hole. Control programs to limit or eradicate prairie dogs and ground squirrels have led to a sharp decline of burrowing owls who depend on the burrows dug by prairie doge and ground squirrels.

Male greater prairie-chickens boom and dance to impress the girls

From western Kansas, we headed east to a greater prairie-chicken lek near Tipton in north-central Kansas. Before we arrived, a friend of Noppadol’s was able to triangulate a booming ground location using sound monitoring equipment, so we had a good idea of where to look.

Two male greater prairie-chickens perform their mating display for a female prairie-chicken on a lek in Mitchell County, Kansas. The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido) is known for its mating ritual by males called booming. In the spring, males gather on leks, also known as booming grounds, in which they defend small areas on the lek to perform their mating displays for visiting females. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. They also expand their bright orange air sac to produce a booming-like sound that can be heard up to a mile away. In addition, males will vigorously defend their territory on the lek by chasing, leaping in the air, and dramatic fighting. Greater prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on. — *I don’t think she is impressed. Talk about a cold shoulder!*

While rain and a late season visit to the lesser prairie-chicken lek didn’t afford much activity, there was plenty of action at the greater prairie-chicken lek, notably when a female showed up. It was somewhat comical to see the female strut across the various territories of the males on the lek. It looked like she was shopping for a boyfriend. During her ‘shopping trip,’ male greater prairie-chickens would perform their mating dance. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. They also expand their bright orange air sac. In the end, though, she ignored all the efforts of the males with a cold shoulder. Guess she didn’t care for what she saw.

The booming-like sound emitted from the orange air sac of the male greater prairie-chicken can be heard up to a mile away. The bird inflates the sack during its courtship ritual when wooing females. This male greater prairie-chicken was photographed on a lek in Mitchell County, Kansas. The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido) is known for its mating ritual by males called booming. In the spring, males gather on leks, also known as booming grounds, in which they defend small areas on the lek to perform their mating displays for visiting females. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. In addition, males will vigorously defend their territory on the lek by chasing, leaping in the air, and dramatic fighting. Greater prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on. — The booming-like sound emitted from the orange air sac of the male greater prairie-chicken during their mating dance display can be heard up to a mile away. The bird inflates the sack during its courtship ritual when wooing females. Also, note the smaller eye comb compared to the lesser prairie chicken in the photos earlier in this blog post.

Battling to protect lek position

Two male greater prairie-chickens faceoff on a lek in Mitchell County, Kansas. The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido) is known for its mating ritual by males called booming. In the spring, males gather on leks, also known as booming grounds, in which they defend small areas on the lek to perform their mating displays for visiting females. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. They also expand their bright orange air sac to produce a booming-like sound that can be heard up to a mile away. In addition, males will vigorously defend their territory on the lek by chasing, leaping in the air, and dramatic fighting. Greater prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on.

Staredown face-offs are the first stage of the battle to protect or overtake a position on the lek. It is always interesting to see who makes the first move. When one does, all hell erupts with some serious biting and pulling of feathers occurring. Feathers fly everywhere, much like in an animated cartoon.

Two male greater prairie-chickens fight on a lek in Mitchell County, Kansas. The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido) is known for its mating ritual by males called booming. In the spring, males gather on leks, also known as booming grounds, in which they defend small areas on the lek to perform their mating displays for visiting females. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. They also expand their bright orange air sac to produce a booming-like sound that can be heard up to a mile away. In addition, males will vigorously defend their territory on the lek by chasing, leaping in the air, and dramatic fighting. Greater prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on.

Two male greater prairie-chickens pause during fighting on a lek in Mitchell County, Kansas. The prairie-chickens will bite, and pull at the other's feathers during the battle for their position on the lek. The greater prairie-chicken or pinnated grouse (Tympanuchus cupido) is known for its mating ritual by males called booming. In the spring, males gather on leks, also known as booming grounds, in which they defend small areas on the lek to perform their mating displays for visiting females. This display includes extending their orange eye combs, lowering the head, raising two tufts of feathers on the neck, and pointing the tail slightly forward while stamping their feet rapidly. They also expand their bright orange air sac to produce a booming-like sound that can be heard up to a mile away. In addition, males will vigorously defend their territory on the lek by chasing, leaping in the air, and dramatic fighting. Greater prairie-chickens are threatened by climate changes (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on. — *Feathers floating in the air as a result of the fighting.*

While these battles are dramatic, there are more significant dangers to greater prairie-chickens and lesser prairie-chickens. All prairie-chickens are threatened by climate change (drought or too much rain) and habitat loss. In particular, habitat loss caused by wind energy development. Prairie-chickens need large expanses of open grassland without tall objects (like wind turbines or power lines and power poles) that provide a raptor to perch on.

PHOTO GALLERY of all my greater prairie-chicken photos

PHOTO GALLERY of all my lesser prairie-chicken photos

PHOTO GALLERY of all my burrowing owl photos

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