a bird in the garage is worth a look

Back in October, I accidently left the side garage door open when I grabbed some gardening stuff.
When I came back in, I heard some loud rustling and squeaking.  Struggling to get out a window it didn't understand was this lovely bird.

I couldn't figure out how to get the bird out of the garage.  I thought about throwing a blanket over it, but I didn't like the looks of its claws and beak. When my husband Wayne came home, he came up with the obvious:  just open the big front garage door.  He went around to the outside of the window, gave a little tap on the glass, and the bird finally got the idea.  It swooped out the door and into the blue sky.  What a treat to see this magnificant bird up close, and I'm so glad all ended happily.

The visitor was a ruffed grouse. I have never seen one before.  Here are some facts about ruffed grouse from http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/grouse-facts

• adults are about 40 cm long and weigh 500 g
• less than half make it to one year, and their lifespan is 2-3 years
• live primarily on the ground, but are strong short-distance fliers
• eat the buds and leaves of poplars, birch, and alders
• live in areas recently clear-cut.  Old growth forests do not provide food
• foxes, coyotes, hawks and owl eat them
• males are territorial and make a drumming sound to attract a mate
• males do not help raise chicks