Duel at Dawn

Print details:

Paper size: 510 x 720mm
Image size: 325 x 660mm
Edition size: 450

It’s early morning in spring in the Southern Uplands of Scotland and these two blackcock are sparring in competition for a female. The grass is wet with dew and the air still cold enough that you can see the birds’ breath.

In a bizarre ritual, the males puff themselves up, extending their tail feathers into elaborate fans and then mock charge each other, all the while emitting a series of strange, guttural, bubbling noises.

Sadly this sight is becoming increasingly rare as the black grouse population continues to decline under pressure from man.

Original painted in oils on board.