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 43 ptarmigan in winter DHJanzen101175.jpg high resolution
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| This ptarmigan (Lagopus) has his winter plumage on. In summer, he would be a mottled green/brown/gray flecked with white - the color of bark/blackspruce foliage/rocks. Now, as well, his feet are adorned with lots of feathers acting as snowshoes (and see image DHJanzen101176.jpg below). His track from walking in the snow behind him is quite visible. The snow here is a meter deep, and he is picking buds off the tips of willow branches that would be far overhead in summer. About the size of a small chicken, he became lunch for hungry biologists (his camouflage was not soooo good). | ||
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