Out of the Dark
Photographer: Jonas Janss Haugli
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1/1000 • f/7.1 • ISO 4500 • Nikon Z810 • 220mm • Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII + 2x TC
Western capercaillies are impressive birds. In the spring, they meet on their lek to fight and display. After the lekking season is over, they go back to their secretive life in the forest. But a small percentage of the population have a significantly higher level of hormones, especially testosterone. These birds can display anywhere anytime through the year, and see every living creature as their enemy. Dogs, humans and even cars, they throw themselves at you without fear. Meeting one of these deviant capercaillies, I was able to make some quite different images as he had no fear and displayed on a small hill in front of me. When the Capercaillie folds out his tail during display, a half circle of white patterns emerges. With an otherwise dark background and the black plumage of the capercaillie, I used a heavy underexposure to make an image highlighting the vibrant red eyebrows and the tail feather pattern.
