Mt Whitney Zone Forums Picture Gallery Happy 67th Birthday Dad! Mt.. Whitney Summit

Mt. Whitney Summit on Dad's 67th Birthday

Is picture 18 a ptarmigan? It looks just like what we call ptarmigans here in Alaska and they turn white in winter.

I only posted one picture but there was a family of 4 or 5 of these guys. I suppose they could also be called quail? Do they turn white at Mt. Whitney?

It's a blue grouse hen.

There have been encounters in the Sierra where these things will become quite aggressive toward hikers during mating or nesting season. Maybe someone can find the links.


Here's the male version:



During the spring (I think), they make a deep "whoomp, whoomp" call that people can here for quite some distance.