Bog Myrtle & Peat

Blackcock are contrary birds. Setting a trap for a stoat this morning, I was treated to a display of overbearing insolence by a lekking blackcock that was so outrageous that I laughed aloud. He stamped around within thirty yards of me, glaring and sneezing as if he was challenging me to mortal combat. Finding the same bird this evening when I returned to the farm to mend a dyke, I had a fleeting opportunity to photograph a cowering snake necked fool with no wattles and all the courage of a day old mouse. How is it possible for one bird to switch from swollen necked superhero to sneaky shirker within a single day?

Silly bastard.