Black Grouse Courtship Dance

In spring, the black grouse perform their courtship dances. The hens watch these ritualized show fights and then allow themselves to be mated by the male of their choice. Fritz has depicted this picturesque ritual several times. The mountain meadow in the background of this picture, dotted with white and purple crocus flowers, looks somewhat like Art Nouveau wallpaper and is almost as decorative as the birds themselves.