Greater Sage Grouse are elegant birds of the vast sagebrush plains.  The most vigorous males congregate in leks during spring courtship display.  For this recording a microphone was planted within a sagebrush to capture the lek sounds, at times only inches away.  The occasional wing beat sounds are heard during brief altercations between neighboring males.  Females stroll from one male to the next, looking over each, taking their time before choosing the father of this year’s offspring.                                                Sounds copyright Kevin J Colver.  Photo copyright Todd Black, Utah State University.