Willow ptarmigan are ground-dwelling birds that range throughout the world’s northern regions. Like snowshoe hares and arctic fox, they adapt to their snowy environment by turning completely white in the winter months. As you can see from the bottom photo, this provides them great camouflage amidst the snow and willows where they spend the majority of their time. I photographed these ptarmigan in northern Manitoba, Canada while out searching for polar bears. Top photo: Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/5 at 1/200th of a second. Bottom photo: Nikon D300 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 400mm) ISO 800, f/4 at 1/500th of a second.
It is fascinating the white camo that these birds employ during the winter months. It begs the question, did the Arctic fox, snowshoe hare or the ptarmigan first evolve with this white-hued survival strategy? Or, did these three species evolve with this camo ar roughly the same time?
——- What do we know of tonal change
——- What do we know of grey or white
——- A way of staying out of sight
——- A way to blend or status to confirm
——- When looking for Ptarmigan or bear
——- It’s always safer to find the bird.
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It is fascinating the white camo that these birds employ during the winter months. It begs the question, did the Arctic fox, snowshoe hare or the ptarmigan first evolve with this white-hued survival strategy? Or, did these three species evolve with this camo ar roughly the same time?
Good question. The ermine, or short tailed weasel as well.
They blend in well.
——- What do we know of tonal change
——- What do we know of grey or white
——- A way of staying out of sight
——- A way to blend or status to confirm
——- When looking for Ptarmigan or bear
——- It’s always safer to find the bird.
Beautiful winter birds.
No doubt Gray.
Sean, They look like an ethereal winter dream, so soft, so lovely!
Thanks Laura.
The portrait is wonderful, but I really love he group pic.