Springtime is high-fashion season for the ruff. In wetlands across northern Europe and Asia, these medium-sized waders gather in marshes to form leks, which are small breeding areas used for courtship displays. Dominant males (also called independents) like the fancy fellow on our homepage, fluff up their colored and intricately patterned capes and collars and mock fight with each other. Their aim? Each wants to secure a prime spot on the lek to showcase his finery and entice watching females to choose him as a mate.
Making it work—in Norway
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Darwin s Arch
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Black History Month
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Hiking the High Trestle Trail
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International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend
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World Meteorological Day
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Whale hello there!
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No, it s not a leaf. Happy Look-alike Day
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International Kissing Day
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America s Playground by Derrick Adams
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Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium
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Autumn in the Prosecco Hills
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Veterans Day
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3,000 years of history
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Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
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Teacher Appreciation Day
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Moon Day
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Lei Day
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Edinburgh Art Festival
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Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
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Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
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Wicker fields in Cañamares, Spain
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Astronomy Day and National Public Lands Day
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Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
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A species worth defending
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A step toward freedom
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Rumelihisarı in Istanbul, Türkiye
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Halemaumau Crater, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
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Celebrating Mexico in a Cultural Capital
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Guiding ships to safety
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Misool, Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia