Courtships Collection (page 3)

Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) adult pair, courting, French Pyrenees, France, June

Glittering Green Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus) adult pair, male courting female, on surface of duckweed covered garden pond, Dorset, England, July

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) adult pair, in courtship display, at nest with egg, Brown Bluff, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica, December

Common Eider (Somateria mollissima) adult pair, in courtship display on beach, Varanger Peninsula, Finnmark, Norway, June

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) dominant adult male, breeding plumage, territorial form displaying at lek, Varanger Peninsula, Finnmark, Norway, May

Great Antshrike (Taraba major) adult pair, courtship feeding, perched on twig, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago, April

Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella) adult pair, breeding plumage, in courtship display, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Buldir Island, Western Aleutian Islands, Alaska, U.S.A. April

Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) adult pair, in flight and perched on Public Footpath sign during courtship, Minsmere RSPB Reserve, Suffolk, England, May

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) adult pair, courtship display in water, South Padre Island, Texas, U. S. A
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) adult pair, courtship display in water, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S.A. april

Laughing Gull (Larus atricilla) adult pair, breeding plumage, courtship behaviour, standing on shore at coast, South Padre Island, Texas, U.S.A. april

Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) adult, in foot-lifting courtship display, San Cristobal (Chatham Island), Galapagos, January

Crested Pigeon (Geophaps lophotes) adult male, in courtship display, Northern Territory, Australia

King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) adult pair, in courtship display, standing on grass, Fortuna Bay, South Georgia

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) albino, adult male, displaying (captive)

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) adult pair, in courtship display, nesting colony on cathedral roof, Alfaro Cathedral, Alfaro, La Rioja, Spain, may

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) adult males, breeding plumage, displaying at lek, Varanger, Norway, may

Kelp Goose (Chloephaga hybrida) adult pair, in courtship display, New Island, Falkland Islands

Great Bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis) display bower of male, decorated with items of green and white, Kakadu, Northern Territory, Australia, september

European Roller (Coracias garrulus) adult pair, courtship feeding on beetle, perched on branch, Bulgaria, may

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Courtships in the animal kingdom are a fascinating display of love and devotion. From the graceful dance of the Great Crested Grebe on the River Thames to the intimate preening of Black-browed Albatrosses in the Falkland Islands, these courtship rituals captivate our hearts. In Oxfordshire, England, a pair of Mute Swans entwine their necks, symbolizing their deep affection for one another. Their elegant courtship behavior is mirrored by another waterfowl couple, the Whooper Swans, who brave frozen lakes and snowy landscapes in Sweden during winter. The Great Northern Diver takes its courtship to North Michigan's serene lakes as it circles its partner in a mesmerizing bonding display. Meanwhile, Mute Swans in Nottinghamshire enchant us with their close-up head movements during their own courtship performance. Art has also captured courtships throughout history. Jacob de Gheyn's "The Prodigal Son" tells a tale of redemption and forgiveness through intricate illustrations that grace both left and right pages. Not limited to birds alone, Sand Lizards engage in courting behaviors during breeding season. These reptilian lovers showcase their affectionate interactions under June's warm sun. Even marine mammals partake in elaborate courtships. Grey Seals on Norfolk's Horsey Gap beach prepare for mating by engaging in tender displays before taking the plunge into an oceanic romance. Lastly, we witness an extraordinary sight as Great Egrets don breeding plumage and perform captivating displays high up on trees in Florida. Their majestic presence reminds us that courtships transcend species boundaries. Whether it be through dances or gestures of tenderness, these creatures remind us that love knows no bounds - from rivers to oceans and from frozen lakes to sunny shores - they can universal expressions of connection and devotion across all walks of life.