I don't know how many years I'd hoped to get some shots of a Ring-neck, only to be disappointed at their rapid departure to the tall grasses near by.
Last fall I was most pleasantly surprised at the photo ops presented in my own back yard. The rooster became a regular and most welcome visitor, showing up several days running, then disappearing for awhile.
He never seemed concerned at my presence, and would come within just a few feet of me.
I marveled at his beauty.
Three mornings in a row I found the thistle feeder on the ground, and it occurred to me the pheasant was knocking it down. Exotic bird with expensive tastes!
His visits were a gift.
Nice pics Tiger.
I recently sent the following to a local newspaper. My heart was broken.
"For several months, a number of households in the Drew area were pleased and honored at regular visits from a Ring-necked Pheasant rooster. Knowing he was likely a farmyard escapee didn’t diminish our pleasure at seeing this beautiful bird. He was the talk of the area. Even my husband, not usually a bird-friendly person, was taken, and on morning rounds I’d often see him come back to the house to grab a handful of cracked corn.
It’s frequently said that “a fed animal is a dead animal,” but I’d not thought of that phrase in relationship to birds. I’ve fed birds for many years and taken great pleasure in it.
Up the highway a couple of miles, a young mother started feeding the rooster, and I hear it became testy towards her young daughter. I don’t suppose she thought to simply stop feeding the pheasant for a time to discourage it, or perhaps to keep the young child indoors while the rooster was present. Instead, she chose to take it’s life. I doubt if she knows she also took a great deal of joy from the hearts of several of the folks along the highway, too.
Good-bye my beautiful feathered friend. I’ll be missing you for a long, long time."
Thanks for sharing this gorgeous creature with us Tiger...I know you are still feeling his loss. It is truly a shame the way his life was ended...so very sorry.
So sorry to hear how this ended tiger. He sure was a gorgeous bird.
You are blessed to have exceptional photos to remember this particular Ring-necked Pheasant. I grew up in an area in southern Pa. where and when there were pheasants everywhere. Sadly, those good old days are now gone. Today, it would be a struggle just to see one to photograph. Cornfields are now cleared to ground level. Hedgerows are few and far between and many former farms are now residential communities. Their habitat was mostly destroyed. Their predators, like Fox, are no longer controlled so the nesting population is basically non-existent. An attempt to re-introduce them in higher numbers has failed. I have personally considered buying a dozen or two and release them in a wildlife area close to where I now live. A number of states in the mid-west (corn-belt states) still have a healthy population of pheasants. But, like you, I am pretty much left with just the memories.
Thank you for sharing your story and the photos of one magnificent bird. I don't know if you know it but the first successful introduction of the pheasant into the United States occurred in Oregon, in 1892.
That's a sad outcome to such a beautiful creature Tiger. Sorry for your lost.
When I go visit with my sons down our province, I sometime spot some. I had the opportunity once, to photograph a pair. It was amazing.
Absolutely beautiful - all that fine detail in the paterns. Great shots too! Sad end. Its like a pelican that stayed in a fishing village we frequented, it was known to all. Then some idiot fisherman got angry at it and killed it....it was like losing a family member - near everyone was sad and it made headline news in the local newspaper.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos, even if the story had a sad ending. Some things in nature, like the pallet of colors found on a cock pheasant, can't be replicated by human efforts. Except maybe with a camera. :-)
In general people who feed birds do exponentially more good for the birds than bad. But, we have to be careful when feeding species that have hunting seasons on them. These animals often become easy prey for slob hunters. Years ago we bought a cabin and the guy who had lived there had a pet deer. Of course, he left it behind and it would visit us and beg for handouts. But, the first fall he was shot by a neighbor.
A pic of a hen pheasant I took awhile back.
Tiger, that makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. No words could ever adequately convey how awful an act that was. I can understand how bad you feel. He was utterly beautiful.
So sad to hear that Tiger...you have taken some beautiful photo's of him.
Thank you all for understanding. My world was a brighter place when he was in it. A day will come that I can smile at the memory of him.
Report her to the SPCA. There are humane ways of dealing with animals that you view as pesks/threats. To kill an animal that you attracted in the first place, is unacceptibile.
