Mr and Mrs Ruff

As so often in nature, the male Ruff can call on something a little bit special when he wants to impress a potential mate. While her wardrobe is a little drab – more Sunday afternoon on the sofa than serious courtship – he can dress to impress with the brilliant white collar display that gives him his name. As the weather warms up and their thoughts to turn a little avian ooh-la-la I plan to try to capture the full display of that ostentatious signal that the time is right to think about a little Ruff on the side.

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM L lens, 1/200th sec, f/9, 400mm at ISO 400

Canon 1Ds MkII, Canon 100-400mm IS USM L lens, 1/60th sec, f/9, 400mm at ISO 400