Hidden Hen . . .

[RJSorensen]

I walked up quite close to this Pheasant hen . . . and she sat tight. So I did not prod her further to see if she was on her nest. I got that which I was after, a hen to go with my ringneck of this evening. I waited till she turned her head away, yet still gave me a eye glint. I like those little glints in the eye of my birds and well most things. Since I started 'shooting' eyes instead of birds . . . lol, I have had better luck.

I hope this is of interest to those of you whom do not get to see this in the wild as we do.

20D/100-400

[zach]

RJ, My experience has been that the hens will sit a lot longer that the roosters. Walking some alfalfa fields, I had hens pop up right behind me after I stepped over them. Scared the crap out of me! Your shot shows just how good natural camo can be.

[RJSorensen]

This is a crop of a second shot . . . and one can see the eye much better in this one. Being a bit larger as well I think the secret is out on this location as a hiding spot, lol. ;)

[Maureen Souza]

Oh yeah... I am much more impressed with the 2nd one. Very nice indeed.

[RJSorensen]

LOL . . . the whole idea is that you can not see these birds, until you are right on top of them. I think the top shot is or will be one of the best I ever do. Because it is so natural, I am sure I walk over them every day. I am sure I don't see near a third of them. That is the point, they blend so well, with what nature gives them for cover that it is a . . . hmm, almost a religious thing I suppose. I have such a reverence for the natural order of things. That to me is what makes the first shot so important. I have found and photographed a very instinctive and natural part of the order of nature. Hide/fright vs. fly/flight . . . she is one smart bird. That is one reason I did not kick her up for a shot on the wing. Reverence for nature.

Sorry, just my view on this one . . . everyone will have one and no two will be alike, thank goodness.

Thanks guys for the kind words as always.

[ayotnoms]

Wow. The first shot proves that mother nature knows how to do a camouflage job.

Thanks for posting the second one. I can uncross my eyes now. LOL

I always look forward to your wildlife photos. :-)

[robertwgross]

About ten miles from me is where I find ringnecks. The male walks around proudly, out in the open, with four or five hens in his harem.

---Bob Gross---

[Maureen Souza]

Reverence for nature.
.

That's how I think it should be......

[MarkoPolo]

Wow. great shot of a great "Camo" job. RJ, did you use flash to help with the "glint?"

[Jessica Rabbit]

How beautiful! I often ride and have teh odd pheasant and Grouse fly up at the last minute before we run them over (I never see them or I wouldnt walk in their way) and usually the horse gets all freaked out. They are so beautiful!

[RJSorensen]

Thank you Jessica . . . I like them too. Mark, nope I let the sun do the work. Always over my back on wildlife . . . well as often as I can anyway. I have gotten so that I shoot the eye of the birds, focus there if I can. I wait for the glint after I have my 'proof' shot, lol. If you shoot to kill, so to speak of course, you need the eye glint as well. They are always the nicest touch I think.

My kind thanks to all . . .

[AF-NCO]

That's how I think it should be......


I was reading a bit too quickly thru the posts. I thought at first that you were agreeing that all males should walk around proudly with 4-5 females in his harem!!!

:lol:

[RbrtPtikLeoSeny]

Woah! Crazy! I could barely see it!

[sparker1]

Very interesting and worthwhile thread. Takes a few seconds of concentration to spot the first bird, even knowing it's there.