Courting Collection (#35)

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

Red-billed gulls (Chroicocephalus scopulinus), breeding colony near Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Pacific

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

Australasian gannet (Morus serrator) courtship display at Cape Kidnappers, North Island, New Zealand, Pacific

European Bee-eater

Cockroach courtship C016 / 7765
Cockroach courtship. Close-up of a cockroach (order Blattodea) performing a mating display on a leaf. Here, the female (right) is raising its wings to encourage the male (left) to mount it

Cockroach courtship C016 / 7764
Cockroach courtship. Close-up of a cockroach (order Blattodea) performing a mating display on a leaf. Here, the female (right) is raising its wings to encourage the male (left) to mount it

Cockroach courtship C016 / 8426
Cockroach courtship. Close-up of a cockroach (order Blattodea) performing a mating display on a leaf. Here, the female (right) is raising its wings to encourage the male (left) to mount it

Silverback mountain gorilla and female
Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) male and female. The mature male leading the troop is known as a silverback due to the colour of the fur on its back

Waved albatross courtship display C013 / 7508
Waved albatross courtship display. Pair of blue-waved albatross (Phoebastria irrorata) displaying during a courtship ritual

Chinstrap penguin courting display C013 / 7483
Chinstrap penguin courting display. Pair of chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) displaying during a courtship ritual

Blue-footed booby courtship display C013 / 7472
Blue-footed booby courtship display. Pair of blue-footed boobies (Sula nebouxii) displaying during a courtship ritual. Photographed on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos Islands

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

Atlantic Puffin, Fratercula arctica, pair, Hornoya Nature Reserve, Vardo, Norway

Iceland, Latrabjarg. Close-up of razorbills in courting behavior

USA, Alaska, Arctic Tern, male, female, Male feeding female in courting behavior

Waved Albatross, (Diomedea irrorata), courting pair, Hood Island, Galapagos

Black Grouse, Tetrao tetrix, male displaying, Wallis, Switzerland

Australasian Gannet, (Sula serrator), courting pair preening, Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC. The Pic Nic on the Fourth of July, A Day to be Remembered
FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC. " The Pic Nic on the Fourth of July, A Day to be Remembered." Engraving by Samuel Hollyer and John Rogers, c1864

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

Four scenes of men and women courting(?) while riding in balloons captioned with rebuses. Date between 1783 and 1800

An Oar-Some Thought by Leo Cheney
A couple relax together in a boat, despite being oar-less. Date: 1927

Couple walking in the woods
The Lovers Walk. Couple walking in the woods. Date: 1849

Courting wartime couple, 1939
Back view of a couple in a London Park during the early weeks of World War Two. A soldier rests his knapsack, helmet and jacket while he enjoys a quiet moment with his sweetheart. 1939

Courting couple
Magazine illustration. Date: 1923

A Case of Encirclement by Hookway Cowles
An attractive woman in a glamorous pink evening dress is surrounded by male admirers at a party. Date: 1939

Couple taking a walk in top hats
The Morning Recreation. Couple taking a walk in top hats Date: ca. 1847

Couple making up after argument
The Reconciliation. Couple making up after argument Date: ca. 1847

The New Man in the Moon by S. Longley
A demure Columbine sits in the branches of a tree with her Pierrot who stares at her adoringly under a moonlit, starry sky. Date: 1924

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"Courtship: A Dance of Love and Connection" In the enchanting realm of nature, courtship takes on many forms. From the mesmerizing Blue-footed booby pair gracefully courting on Santa Cruz Island's South coast to the adorable Atlantic Puffins engaging in bill rubbing rituals on Skomer Island, love is in the air. Even the majestic King penguins partake in pre-mating behaviors, showcasing their affectionate bond. As if inspired by celestial romance, Hesperus, the Evening Star, stands as a symbol sacred to lovers since 1855. Love knows no bounds; it transcends species and embraces all beings. Jim and Jeanette find solace and joy amidst lush green grasses as they embark on their own journey of courtship. The Japanese crane displays its wings in a heart shape during February's winter embrace in Hokkaido, Japan. Meanwhile, Andean cock-of-the-rock males gather at leks high up in trees to showcase their vibrant plumage for potential mates. Even Mountain hares engage in playful boxing matches amidst Scotland's snowy landscapes during December - a testament to love's spirited nature. Australasian crested grebes perform an elegant courtship display while Great crested grebes engage in their whimsical weed dance - both captivating spectacles that celebrate unity and devotion. Finally, Atlantic Puffin pairs continue their ritualistic bill rubbing as an expression of affection during this enchanting courtship season. In these moments captured across time and space, we witness nature's intricate tapestry woven with threads of love. Courtship reminds us that connection is universal - whether through graceful dances or tender gestures - it is through these acts that hearts intertwine and souls find solace together.