Barred Plymouth Rock rooster portrait
I had a surprise encounter with a Barred Plymouth Rock rooster when I stopped at the Bear River MBR restroom closest to the I-15 Interstate last week. I had spent all morning trying to get close enough to the birds out on the auto tour loop to photograph. While I succeeded with a few there were many more I couldn’t get close to. I knew I was going home with a couple of nice series of images of blackbirds. I was content and happy.
A Different Kind Of Post
I wanted to stop at the restroom to relieve myself and stow my gear for the nearly hour long drive home. Then I saw this rooster strutting around the parking lot near the bathroom.
Barred Plymouth Rock rooster- composite image because the rooster was too close to fit in the frame
My first introduction to roosters was probably about the time when I started walking at eight months old. My poor mom had a wild child on her hands and she used to say that she hoped I would have a child like me so I’d know what she went through. My oldest son, William, started walking at nine months old. I know what my mother went through.
Sorry, mom!
Unlike my son, I was a farmer’s daughter, and that meant farm equipment, cows, sheep, and chickens were a part of the landscape of my earliest years on a daily basis.
Me feeding chickens at 20 months old on the family farm
When my mom milked the cows she had to worry about me running around in the barn and getting kicked by the cows at a very young age.
Sorry again, mom!
The chickens were another concern. The hens not so much, but some roosters can be mean. I’ve been chased by more than a few roosters in my life.
Calling Barred Plymouth Rock rooster
So I wasn’t sure about the Barred Plymouth Rock rooster that was strutting his stuff at the refuge restroom. When I pulled into the parking area the rooster circled my Jeep several times. I know sometimes roosters will chase and attack shiny hubcaps but I can guarantee that my wheels aren’t shiny. I spend so much time driving on dusty roads not much on my Jeep is shiny after going out into the field.
I decided that I could wait until I got home to use the bathroom. I really didn’t want to get into the restroom and then have the rooster refuse to let me back out. And I certainly didn’t want the rooster chasing me around the parking lot although that may have made for a funny, and perhaps viral, video.
Barred Plymouth Rock rooster close up
It wasn’t until I was back home that I was able to look up the breed of the rooster and read that Barred Plymouth Rock roosters are fairly docile. I probably could have used the restroom and gotten back into my Jeep without being chased by him. Strange things happen to me frequently though so I think I made the right choice by staying in my vehicle.
I had a bird in front of me and I decided to take photos of it. Despite his not being a wild bird I wanted to take the best images of him that I could. He was a handsome rooster, just a little cocky.
Life is good. Expect the unexpected!
Mia
P.S., the rooster probably wandered to the parking area of the restroom from a farm about half mile east or so up the road.
Click here to see my wild bird photo galleries.
Fun pictures– of a rooster perhaps feeling its jungle fowl roots!
Hi honey ! I would not have trusted it either, All rooster can be mean! You were a busy little girl and I cleaned out the calf pen and put your playpen in there while I was milking. Picture is cute of you!
What a grand looking fellow! He’s clearly ready for the cover of GQ. All the hens in the yard must swoon whenever he cruises by their roost. Wonderful pics! The eye contact is incredible. If I was a hen I’d probably fall in love with him too. Thanks Mia.
That is a good looking rooster! Must have wandered from one of the nearby farms. Nice photos. Eric walked or rather ran at nine months.
Smiling. And yes, I have been chased by a rooster or two as well.
I had the big white Rooster and hens peck at me when I was a real young child when we visited In Missouri. Wonder if he got loose from some one traveling and they just let him go! He is a pretty Rooster.
As roosters go, he is quite handsome! Definitely not the usual barn roosters that I’ve seen…. or been chased by! Not wild but still beautiful.
The Barred Plymouth Rock is my FAVORITE breed no doubt. They actually are kind of big for a chicken too. Lucy farm girl!!