Victoria's Riflebird best 'Whirling Dervish" display

The magnificent Victoria's Riflebird caught in display with his best Turkish dancer's "whirling dervish". 

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z 70-200 f/2.8
f/2.8
1/320s  (lucky to get away with such a low S/S)
-.67 EV
ISO7200@ 200mm


The mating/display season for the Riflebird has just finished and I grabbed the  opportunity to shoot these extraordinary birds
a few weeks ago from a hide and despite having my 180-400 & Z 400 f/4.5 w/tc's on tap, ironically the majority of better opportunities came my way
with the ever reliable Z 70-200.  They will choose a relatively open area and broken tree stump/high point to start their performance.
The males were competing for the attention of the females and at times the juveniles crowded out the scene with
their futile practicing antics!............very comical.
With their habitat being highland tropical rainforest, often the best displays were not in favourable light nor optimal backgrounds.

Atherton Tablelands- Far Nth QLD.