Male Ring-necked Pheasant portrait- Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Male Ring-necked Pheasants are a bold splash of rainbow colors against the white snow covering the ground at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area.
These stunning game birds aren’t native to North America—they were introduced from Asia in the 1880s.
I can vividly recall inadvertently flushing them from the brush while walking along the dirt road that led to the woods behind my grandparent’s house in Michigan.
As a very young girl, I loved seeing their vibrant colors burst into view as they took flight. They sure can be noisy when they take off!
Yesterday morning was slow for bird activity, but when I spotted this male Ring-necked Pheasant out in the open, I couldn’t resist taking some portrait shots.
He was so close that, even zoomed out to 200mm, I couldn’t fit him entirely in the frame! I love capturing portrait images when I get the chance—it lets me see the finer details of the bird’s face, like the texture of his feathers or the melted snow clinging to his bill.
Besides, there’s no way I could get this close to a wild pheasant on foot!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ring-necked Pheasant photos plus facts and information about this species.
That’s amazing you got this pose! What a gorgeous illustration of this bird and his plumage. The nuance is just incredible. The pheasants I see are so very skittish most probably because they’re in pheasant release areas.
How very, very beautiful. Thank you.
Hi Mia; now THAT is a phenomenal shot!Never seen anything so sharp.
A Photographic Painting …. You are a true Artist Mia..
Splendid feather detail and color!
Mia, lovely shot of the Pheasant. Love the detail on the feathers! He is handsome. Awesome shot!
Beautiful image.
These colors are simply spectacular, so vibrant for a painting.
I am so jealous. For four years I’ve been trying to get a decent shot with no success. I see them all the time, but it’s usually after I’ve accidentally flushed one and they’ve scared me to death. Beautiful picture!
To think this beauty is due to choosy females, as this quote from Wikipedia mentions: “Birds use visual stimuli such as bright colors or large ornamentation for socio-sexual communication as well as species recognition.[8] These ornaments can be considered ‘honest’ signs of fitness because they are often costly to produce and show that the individual is healthy enough to mate with the choosing female.[2]” Beautiful image Mia!
What an intricate plumage…it almost doesn’t work, like it is too random as if a kid drew it, but it is beautiful.
he’s a beauty, Mia … what an experience you had!!!!! Just to SEE one of these guys … much less get a capture like this!! WOW!!!!!!
He’s a handsome dude! I remember walking through our field and practically stepping on these birds. When they’d suddenly flush right in front of me, with a loud WHOOSH! my heart would almost stop! One male was so busy running from one side of the field to the other, trying to chase other males away, that we were afraid he’d starve. We’d watch from my father’s studio and wonder if he’d ever take time out to eat…
What a handsome young man!
Beauty! And I so impressed that you managed to get so close!
A Regal Portrait ! Well Done Mia !
He’s sooo beautiful!
Incredibly beautiful portrait. The lighting is just right – you did a fine job, my friend!
ohh, it s beautifull portrait, so nice details and colors, well done mia =))
have a nice day ☼