I was on the Martin Creek side of the Iron Goat trail with students. During
lunch the group I was sitting with had a conversation about protective
coloring. As one of the students stood up to stretch she let out a gasp and
we all turned to see what she was staring at but could not see anything. She
motioned with her hands and the 5 of use joined her and then the outline of
a Ruffed Grouse suddenly materialized in the logs. It was quite remarkable
how difficult the bird was to see, even though it was only maybe 8 feet from
us. What a perfect example. What a great day in the field. We also had
nice looks at Red-naped sapsuckers, several Pikas and a brief look at a
weasel darting around the rocks.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer,
The Environmental Science School