Red Grouse Photography - how to find and track red grouse

In this video I'll show you the techniques I use for finding and photographing red grouse. I'll take you through the process of getting nearer to the bird and finding a composition step by step.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:28 About red grouse
2:35 Difficulties
3:08 Getting the photo
6:46 Composition
8:13 Handheld? Monopod? Tripod?

[@stephenelderphoto]

I really appreciate the level of detail you included in this video as it’s very helpful. Great hero shot!

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Much appreciated Stephen. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@JC.Journey]

Another fantastic video, Scott with lovely images of the Red Grouse! Clearly presented with great detail. Thank you - have a wonderful week! -Jody

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks for your lovely comments and for watching again.

[@raymondpenalver7095]

Great video Scott, thanks for the field craft stalking techniques, your videos are always so enjoyable to watch, loved the photos.

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thank you Raymond, I really appreciate it.

[@OrkoLuca]

As always, another great video. I love the way you mix field tricks and technical issues. Keep on shearing your passion! Greetings from northern Italy.

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thank you so much. Best wishes.

[@glennhunt2375]

Seen your "beginner" videos Scott - very clearly presented this more "advanced teach in" is just as well delivered showing how much you know about your subject and the means to capture an image. Very enjoyable video. 👍

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks Glenn. Much appreciated. I’m glad you like it.

[@pseudophotog]

Great stuff - nicely paced presentation and some cracking shots of a bird I never imaged could be approached.

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Many thanks. Glad you liked it and thanks for watching.

[@gotophotoarchive9131]

Such a beautiful bird. Thanks for sharing, never seen it before.

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks for watching again. Much appreciated.

[@user-kn5zv6jp7b]

Hi, Scott! I mostly photographed landscapes, but I had Sony 100-400 gm so I started trying to shoot birds. And recently found your channel. Thank you for sharing your experience. All the Videos are very informative and photos are gorgeous. Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago, all my photographic equipment was stolen from my car. So for now I'm enjoying the wild nature watching your channel. One more time - big thanks!!!

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Hi Роман. I’m sorry to hear about your camera gear being stolen and hope you get it back. The 100-400 is a fantastic lens. I don’t own one of these but I have used one. Thanks for your nice comments and for watching.

[@davet3530]

Excellent. It’s so helpful to see some of the field craft you used, that is refreshing to see included in a video. Getting an image is one thing but first you have to get to the subject in away that is safe for the subject too. Including field craft tips and the natural history elements of where to look for the subject is a great help. I’ve never photographed red grouse so this is immensely informative for me. thanks.

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks Dave. Nice to hear that it's useful to you. I hope you get to photograph sone red grouse - they're frustrating to get close to, but its nice when you do.

[@SteveHedgesPhotography]

Great vlog Scott. I've never photographed red grouse, very tricky to get by the looks of things. All the best, Steve

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks Steve. Yeah, they can be quite tricky. I think they are more difficult to get close to than similar species like the back grouse. But it's good fun though. I think I might try again this summer when the heather is in full bloom. Thanks for watching.

[@peterviragphoto]

Awesome video Scott, really enjoyed it! What a gorgeous species, was the first time I’ve seen a red grouse😀😍😍. Lovely images as well, the light was superb & you managed to bring out the amazing colours of its plumage perfectly. Great job! Hope you’re having a nice week mate!

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Cheers Peter, much appreciated. All good thanks. I hope you’re enjoying being back out and about again. I hear the restrictions have ended now in Aus.

[@peterviragphoto]

@@WalksOnTheWildSide very welcome! Yes, restrictions ended. Question is, for how long??,🤣

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

🤞

[@beachinyou7858]

We must have the best stalking skills indeed - to capture the best shots of these red grouse birds

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Agreed. Thanks for watching.

[@yarimadaoryantiringdogaspo8808]

hello my friend very nice video 👍🏻🙋🏼‍♀️🔔

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

🙌 Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@antsfinland2760]

Now that the black grouse lek has begun I have already photographed some myself, but I definetly want to see you photographing them. Very beautiful birds!

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

I’m on it. I’ve had a few sessions to try and capture the black grouse lek, but it’s still a bit early in the season over here. Thanks for watching.

[@antsfinland2760]

@@WalksOnTheWildSide Yeah the peak is one month away atleast here in Finland

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Same here but we have a very small population of them. About 5,000 I think, and the leks are quite small groups. It’s a really challenging bird. But it’s the challenge that makes it fun.

[@antsfinland2760]

@@WalksOnTheWildSide Wow here there are estimated to be atleast half a million pairs. Yea a lot of grouse

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

@@antsfinland2760 wow, maybe I should get a flight to Finland. You’re so lucky to have so many.

[@tamarawilliams9951]

I think that Red Grouse is just gorgeous. Love its colors and feathering and your pictures are just lovely. I am limited in my ability for movement where I shoot and watching this makes me want to find a new location where I can use positioning to compose the shots. I have been practicing moving more right or left to see if the shot is less distracting, but the foliage is very thick where I shoot so often I have too much clutter. I am now going to look for a more wild side place to go. Thanks for another great video.

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks Tamara. It’s always good fun and useful to check out other locations. You can sometimes find better shooting conditions and other subjects. Thanks for watching.

[@weekendwanderer5514]

I really appreciate the amount of work you put into these videos. May I ask are these single shots or are you shooting in burst mode?

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Thanks you very much. The photo with the bird flying across the sky was one of a burst of shots, and I just chose the one with the most pleasing composition. The portrait pictures were single shots. Thanks for watching another video.

[@robertsparkes3292]

Great video. Love these, but- smaller than a blackbird??? More like bantam sized, if not bigger, surely!

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Hi. Yeah, you're right. Not sure why I used a blackbird as a reference point, they are a bit bigger than that. More like a crow. I think I was just trying to show that they're one of our smallest grouses here in the UK. Glad you enjoyed the video though, and thanks for watching.

[@robertsparkes3292]

@@WalksOnTheWildSide I love your videos. They are so full of information. Really great content. Keep up the good work.

[@ajc1482]

Hey mate, love the video as usual!...is your website no longer active?

[@WalksOnTheWildSide]

Hi Andy. Thanks for looking for for the website. I took it down and I'm working on having a new one in the new year. Glad you like the video.

[@ajc1482]

@@WalksOnTheWildSide ah well good luck mate, I know how much work that is.