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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Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca, Spain
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National Park Service Founders Day
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Alpine marmots at Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
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The borrowed days are here
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Lizard of mystery
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World Teachers Day
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Haghartsin Monastery, Armenia
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When science looks like magic
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Fire-damaged forest near Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
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A medieval Moorish gem
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Earth Science Week
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The Feathers at Frenchman Coulee near Vantage, Washington
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Coming home to roost
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Oh, happy day!
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Summertime in Alaska
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A universe underground
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Great horned owl fledglings
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Citizenship Day and Constitution Day
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Goats don t grow on trees
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Procida, Italy
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Mada in Saleh, Saudi Arabia
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Pascua Florida Day
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Lanterns alight in Pingxi
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Mandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, England
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There’s treasure in them thar hills
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Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand
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Quilts as high art
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World Migratory Bird Day
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Welcome to the Ring of Fire
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Almond trees in full bloom, California