Willow grouse The willow grouse is the bird of life.

Its cute feet were made to stride the snow and its pure white winter coat blends into it.
Two black tail feathers are the only thing to distinguish the birds from the drifts.
Small pitch-black eyes observe the surroundings. In a snowstorm the grouse digs
itself into a kieppi under the snow.

Willow grouse's summer dress is brownish, blending into the undergrowth perfectly,
so that a passer-by only notices the bird a few yards away. Grouse is also called
a "forest hen"; somewhat smaller ptarmigan is a clouse relative. Willow grouse
meets the day laughing and goes to bed laughing. If only we could do the
same!

Lapland´s birds are manifold: Landfowl, waterfowl, shorebirds, and migrants to watch.
Life would be a lot more boring without them. The little one chirping inside of us each
should not be forgotten either. And what is the great power that drives birds back
from the south to the stark north year after year? We only know that the spring
is always egually cheerful when the birds come.

Thanks for "The lighter side of Lapland" by Uuttu-Kalle

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