LATEST IMAGES - FINLAND2
Capercaillie are very difficult to see let alone photograph in the UK unless one comes across a rogue male when the problem can be getting away from them. I wanted to try and photograph Capercaillie at a lek and thought Finland at the end of April gave me a good opportunity. I did get some shots but even here it was a struggle. Firstly the males display very early in the morning in almost total darkness, not ideal for photography, and secondly they do move around. This meant the hides I was using were moved on a daily basis to where the Capercaillie had been the morning before but not necessarily where they were going to be the following morning! One night was spent in the hide for no photographs as the Capercaillie decided, if indeed they do decide, to display behind the hide. However over five mornings I did get some shots of males displaying and also of females although they didn't stay too long on the ground. The modern digital cameras are a great help being able to use very high ISO settings, indeed I found the 5D MK111 gave good results up to 10000 ISO.
MALE CAPERCAILLIE DISPLAYING
MALE CAPERCAILLIE DISPLAYING ON A FOREST TRACK
MALE CAPERCAILLIE DISPLAYING1
MALE CAPERCAILLIE DISPLAYING2
MALE CAPERCAILLIE DISPLAYING3