Dancing Duel by Nick Saunders

Wednesday, 4th February 2009

Dancing Duel

by Nick Saunders

An early spring morning, still cool, but with the sun just coming up, two adult male Sharp-tailed Grouse are head to head in a battle to decide the winner of the female.
Location: Saskatchewan, Canada

Equipment: Canon 350D – 100-400 L

Nick Saunders

Originally from England, I have been fascinated with wildlife since I was very young.
I now spend most of my spare time looking for and photographing anything i can find on many hikes around the river , local parks and on country drives, here in Saskatchewan Canada where I now live with my wife.

www.saskbirder.com

22 Comments

Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 3:13 am
Great sharp image of the birds in action. By blurring both the foreground and the background, you draw the viewer directly into the center of the battle–eye to eye. The early morning light is perfect to highlight the colorful plumage–great photo!
Jim Atkin Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 3:16 am
A nice picture of wildlife caught in the act of battle. Good for you.
yasmin Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Two is better than one! Congrats with your photo!
Anurag Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 6:50 am
Great focus and timing. A little bit of contrast will not hurt, though.
Beautiful Birds.
Malta Photography Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 8:16 am
by far a great shot indeed. Nice action shot. wonder who won.
Pauline Jones Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Great shot, I love the bird’s markings and the purple throats.
Su Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Love this shot, let battle commence.
Mandy Kilpatrick Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 10:56 am
What a great nature action shot! Look at the fierceness in those eyes – wow. I don’t believe I have seen such emotion in birds before in a shot like this. Love the angle of their stance and how it was captured in the composition. Congratulations!!
planet lover Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
The birds’ plummage is so colorful and the patterns of lines and spots just naturally perfect! Great picture.
Rob Wallace Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Stunning and inspiring for me a film music composer. I get ideas for nature film by looking at photos like these.
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
hope she’s worth it!
Marker Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I can’t look at grouse without wondering how many shot gun pellets the poor birds are carrying. What a life! Fight for a mate. Mate. Get shot. Such transient beauty makes me want to weep.
S. Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Gorgeous Nick. You’ve captured this so perfectly I thought for a minute I could hear drumming.

Edmonton
Renee Says:
February 4th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Interesting!! Great shot
Ellie Says:
February 5th, 2009 at 2:00 am
DOF is impeccable, action is great and focus is perfect, NICE job here!
James and Kelly Stone Says:
February 5th, 2009 at 3:36 am
This is an excellent action shot. One of the better ones we have seen. Beautiful, simply beautiful! Congratulations!!
Srirama Raja Says:
February 6th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Nice picture.
Partha Says:
February 9th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Awesome Picture………
Sue Gagnon Says:
February 9th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Birds in action with absolutely NO regard for any observers, just a great job here.
mike Says:
October 1st, 2009 at 1:39 pm
You can tell they are ready
Rajib Singha Says:
February 4th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Good shot!
su Says:
February 18th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
What concentration on their faces, love the colour too.