A Blog about Mo the crazy grouse

So…once again I’m finding time to write about Craftsbury only when I’m not in Craftsbury…right now I’m in the Calgary Airport, en route to Canmore for some more IBU cup racing!

But luckily for all of you blog-readers, I spent perhaps too much time when I was home for a week documenting the life of Mo, our celebrity “pet” ruffed grouse!   But first things first–I want to take this opportunity to officially correct my previous determination of Mo’s gender.  Our best guess is now that Mo is in fact a male grouse, though he has yet to get puffed up into full male display form.  Maybe thats for lack of a lady grouse in the vicinity, time of year, etc.  But thanks to Rick Halling for his advice about Mo’s gender.

Make sure to scroll down to the videos!  They’re the best part!

Mo modeling his best angle. Mo can look very slender if he wants to, or he can puff up his feathers and look very fat.

First, let me tell you how Mo seems to spend his day–I suppose he must to some foraging for food at some point, but when we’re around, he generally likes to be as close to us as possible.  If we’re in the living room, he sits at the living room window looking in on us, occasionally pecking at the window.  If we’re in the dining room, he sits at that window.

Often, I’ll walk out the door to go skiing to find Mo sitting right by the door, as if he knew I was about to come out.  Then he scurries up next to me, and follows me over to the trail, where I put my skis on and he pokes around.  Once or twice he’s actually tried to scurry along while I ski, but I’m too fast for him!

Maria and Mo waxing. Mo did his best to help Maria, Brian and I wax our skis.

Mo tried to perch on my poles, but they weren't grippy enough, and he kept sliding off.

Mo and Bryan demonstrate Mo’s fearlessness (video)

Mo eats bread crumbs. I’m a nerd. (video)

Also, by the way, the skiing in Craftsbury for the last week was unreal!  We actually had about 7 bluebird days in a row, the grooming was superb, and the snow was FAST.  The rest of NE may be having a terrible snow winter, but Craftsbury has somehow avoided it!

Crust skiing in early February!