Since moving to Reno, NV in 2016 one of my target species was the Greater Sage-Grouse. I became aware of a Lek northwest of Pyramid Lake in an area called Sheep Springs. This year I found another Lek south of Yerington in Lyon County NV.
Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) - Risue Road (NF50), LYO (NV)
EQ: Nikon D850, Nikkor 500mm f/4.0, Taken: 4-2-2025 at 5:59
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/400s, f/5.6, ISO2000, +1 EV, Conditions: pre-dawn
The Risue Road (NF50) Lek was in a grassy area and I counted 44 mostly males displaying. The males were puffing out their chests and spreading their tails in a starburst pattern. They inflated their yellow air sacs with as much as 1 gallon of air then they thrust their heads to produce a very low booming sound.
Risue Road (NF50), LYO (NV), Taken: 4-2-2025 at 7:03
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/640s, f/5.6, ISO800, +1 EV, Conditions: dawn
The Sheep Spring Lek burned a few years ago so the sage brush were small but this made for less obstructions for photographing them. I was watching them make their booming call and the sound was so low that it took about a second for the sound to reach me 67 m from them. This impressive species have been in decline due to human invasion and the loss of there habitat. Hopefully, conservation efforts will keep these great birds around for future generations to enjoy.
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:56
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO800, +1 EV, Conditions: dawn
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:52
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO900, +1 EV, Conditions: sunrise
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:56
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO800, +1 EV, Conditions: dawn
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:59
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO720, +1 EV, Conditions: sunrise
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 6:00
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO720, +1 EV, Conditions: sunrise
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 6:02
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1250s, f/5.6, ISO720, +1 EV, Conditions: sunrise
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:44
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/320s, f/5.6, ISO1250, +1 EV, Conditions: dawn
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:48
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO1800, +1 EV, Conditions: dawn
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:53
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO900, +1 EV, Conditions: sunrise
Sheep Spring, WAS (NV), Taken: 4-18-2025 at 5:55
Settings: 700mm (35mm eqv), 1/1000s, f/5.6, ISO720, +1 EV, Conditions: sunrise
Your comments are welcomed and if you have any questions about these photos or any other leave me a message.