• Saturday-What'sUP December 13 - 09:10 am

Today's top photo was taken at our farm, showing the crabapple and regular apple trees in our front yard. But, look closely and you'll spot something hidden in the tree...oh wait, look again, there's two of them. Those are Partridges that come each evening to feast on the small fruit from this tree. I sat in the car, parked in the driveway, waiting to shoot these birds, as we've been getting as many as 4 and 5 in the tree and on the ground, at a time. The second and third photos are the "fruits" of that lengthy stakeout. My favorite shot is the middle photo, as you can see the crabapple still in the Partidge's mouth. Technically, these are really Ruffed Grouse, but for the most part, here in the U.P., we just call them Partridges. I wonder why that is?

good morning

"...and a ruffed grouse in a pear tree" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

What wonderful pictures! I would love to be able to see one that close. And the red berries add an artistic touch.

Good photos.

They are called Partridges because of the Christmas song: "and a Partridge in a crabapple tree". (Close enough) :)

They are called partriges back east and in England, and the older name might be from all the Cornish Jacks and Jennies that moved here.

As a kid we use to go "pat" hunting, to shoot some "pats."

A pair of partridge in a tree

this may sound dumb, but I've never actually seen a partridge in a tree...they were always on the ground, or flying unexpectedly up into the air.

The Ruffed Grouse is frequently referred to as the "partridge". This is technically wrong - partridges are unrelated phasianids, and in hunting may lead to confusion with the Grey Partridge.

so, this is the inverse of above. They are separate species, the grouse and partridge. Either way, they taste pretty good.

oh, and the above ... will they have a nice apple flavor to them?

We have on occasion, had up to 12 grouse/partridge in one tree, crabapple tree that is. It creates a lot of excitement when you have two hunting dogs in the house. I'm surprise I still have windows in my home when those crazy birds come out.They are a funny bird to watch after eating those "apples". Anyhow, they are mighty fine tasting birds, especially slow cooked on a grill. YUM YUM!!!!!!! Have a great day everyone!

While I understand they are not easy to hunt, they are sure stupid when it comes to cars. They think that that by standing dead still in the road, that they won't be seen.

The reason why they are soooo stupid around cars is because they have been hanging around the apple tree and/or berry bush too long; they're drunker than a bunch of skunks!!

Good photos, Mary. These birds fly at tremendous speed. One flew into our window, hitting it so hard that it killed itself, poor thing. The sound of the impact in the house was so loud we thought something blew up at first.

Mary says: As a matter of fact, Greta, we just this week picked up a "stuffed" partridge from the taxidermist, that had flown into a neighbor's window and broke its neck. She said she thought a gun had gone off when it hit the window, it was so loud. So even though it died...it lives on in body, at my house. ;-)

Wow Mary...way cool!!!

Hey everyone...Farmer was hurt pretty bad in a head-on collision the other nite...say your prayers please!!! Thank you! Blessings!

Wonder if it isn't, in fact, an American Mountain Ash tree----with a Crab Apple in the background?

Mary says: No, Sconie, it's a crabapple tree the partridge is in, we planted it ourselves. And that's a regular apple tree in the background (I don't remember what varitey), which we planted ourselves, too.

Great pictures Mary! Thanks for sharing.

GREAT pictures, Mary! Kudos! Thanks so much for sharing!

Oh my goodness, what great pictures.....I LOVE the first one with the hidden birds......The second is neat with the fruit of her labor in her mouth and the last is one contented mama.....Great Pictures Mary.

You should make the first one a puzzle....they do that in Houghton at the shop down from Curves. I'd buy a copy !!!!!

Helen a great find on your part about the hidden partridge. I totally missed that. Thanks for pointing it out. I wonder how many others missed it. I agree with you about a puzzle. It could be titled "How to find a partridge in an apple tree?"
Great photos Mary

Mary says: Brenda...there are actually two hidden partridges in that tree! :->

Donna, help me remember, if I knew, who is Farmer? I hope he's going to be all right. Keep us posted.

Mary,
I should have thought of a taxidermist. We felt so badly for this poor bird. But it got a nice burial on the property in a nice box, along side a Canada Goose that apparently had been shot. (WHY!?!)

Partridge will scare the beegebers out of you and other stuff too when they take off next to you and you don't expect it.

Rowdy, I agree with you on that!