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Marc Costermans's Image
Marc Costermans (Belgium) finds a male black grouse hopping on the spot against the rising Scandinavian sun.
Marc camped out in the snow for five nights to ensure he was in position at sunrise to get the picture he’d envisaged.
Lying on his belly, he waited, hoping that one of the 15 black grouse would move into line with the sun.
An hour later, one obliged.
Male black grouse have blue-black iridescent plumage. As they raise their tails, they reveal brilliant white covert feathers.
For a few weeks in spring, they congregate at sites called leks to compete for dominance.
Behind the lens
Marc Costermans
Belgium
Marc has loved immersing himself in nature since he was a child. On honeymoon he went to the great American parks and that’s when it all clicked. On return he bought his first camera and decided to dedicate time every week to wildlife photography. Since 2018 he’s been accompanying photo trips for Starling Voyages agency.
Image details
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II
- 100–300mm f2.8 lens
- 1.4x teleconverter • 1/5000 at f13 (-1.3 e/v) • ISO 200
- Långträsk, Piteå, Sweden
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