Dancing Bird

Even the pheasants are getting with the program..... Spring must be close.....



....Dave

Excellent photo of the Ring-necked Pheasant against the snow. I can't tell you the last time that I saw a male pheasant. They are a beautiful bird. Do you see many of them in Ohio ? Back in the 1950's and 1960's they were everywhere (in Pennsylvania). The habitat has been destroyed and their predators have increased in numbers. If not for occasional stocking by hunting clubs, one would not see them at all. Unexpectedly, I recently did get a photo of a hen pheasant sitting in a tree here in Maryland.

Stunning photo! Perfect catch.

Fabulous photography!

Great pic!

Looks like he's on his toes! Marvelous image!

All I can say is wow!

Dave,

Great shot! Thanks for sharing all your pics!

Marilyn

Beautiful photo Dave!

great photo!

Thanks for sharing your wonderful shots, Dave
Joyce

Love it. Thank you.

Wow, that is a great picture... Linthicum, and anybody else who might be wondering, these birds aren't native to North America at all, they were and still are introduced just for hunting.

Glad you got your "shot" off before someone got their's Dave.

We used to see lots of them too in the 60's. Back then there was also less coyotes and fox as there were a bounty on them. As the preditors came back, the ruffled grouse and pheasant declined considerably. ( pardon my poor spelling)
It is a treat to see one or two now. I love the picture. You really captured the moment. Even though there is still snow, I too see a difference in the birds. More singing and even some courting going on. Spring (read mud) is surely on its way.

claypa, that's true. I am a native Pennsylvanian and enjoyed pheasant hunting for many years in York County. But that no longer exists for numerous reasons. Currently, stocking is pretty much limited to State Game Lands. For those interested, the following is an excellent article on the propagation of the Ring-necked Pheasant in Pennsylvania. Many of the mid-west farmland states still have a healthy population of ring-necks.

http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=460&q=158301

Such a beautiful bird. Such a great photo.

Great pic!! Beautiful bird!

That's an amazing shot! I didn't know pheasants practised ballet!

I had to come back and smile over this delightful photo!

Me too Murmur! An amazing shot!

UncleGreenthumb, I found this thread when searching for pheasants here. Your Photoshop skills are impressive!

This message was edited Nov 25, 2008 1:36 AM

What makes you say it's photoshopped?

I don't know, the exposure seems different. The branches nearest the forefront on the left are in crisp focus, but the bird is not. I don't see any shadow from the bird, but there are shadows cast by the uneven lumps of snow. Just little things. If I didn't frequent sites like Worth1000.com, I probably wouldn't even notice. I very well might be wrong. It just struck me as a Photoshopped picture, but a neat one either way.