That is definately a ruffed grouse.

Was it drumming when you saw it?

Males do the drumming, which sounds like an old farm tractor that is starting but just won't quite get going. If you have ever heard a very old Farmall or John Deere tractor try to start up, that is what it sounds like. That is their mating call.

Nope, wasn't drumming. Just pecking around on the ground. We watched it for about five minutes, working its way up the side of the mountain. Didn't seem to concerned about us at all.

But now that you mention it, a little further down the road I heard a loud drumming, and thought it was a large woodpecker on a very hollow tree. I never could see it though. Maybe it was a drumming grouse.

Is the new car making it down Rich Mt Rd just fine? No warnings for us smaller car drivers?

The Prius does just fine. We only saw two other cars the whole time. The Prius is nice because you can sneak up on ruffed grouses and when you stop it goes mostly silent and doesn't disturb them.

That very well may be a hen grouse. Grouse are also famous (no pun intended for those scotch diehards out there) to lead off what they consider predators from their nest. I have seen them also go so far as to fake a broken wing in order to get you away from the nest. As you can also see, camouflage is their best friend. I have seen them fly just a few feet off and for the life of me could never find them against the background.