Santa Cruz de Mudela, Spain
We were in a small pop-up hide on a lekking ground for the Little bustard. We arrived in the hide before sunrise and waited for the bird to appear, we heard its clicking whirring call while it was still too dark to photograph and as the light slowly improved we watch mesmerised as the bird began to display. There were various parts other than its attempt to attract a female, in addition to the call, the male would stamp its feet on the ground, creating a drumming sound, and it jumpi into the air and spreading its wings to slow its descent. This is a male bird in breeding plummage, with a distinctive black neck 'ruff' and the double-V white collar.
Nikon Z9, Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S @ 300mm
1/12800s, f/6.3, ISO640,
Ref: AD23200_sm.jpg
