During a visit to Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire I found this pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) relaxing in the sunshine. Although not native to the UK, this bird is now common and is found over most of the country.
Of course the real issue for pheasants is not their immigration status, but the fact they they are shot for 'sport'.
I just loved the combination of colours in these pictures - and while there is no sign of the birds magnificent tail, this is a new species for me on WBW so I went with these pictures.
Of course the real issue for pheasants is not their immigration status, but the fact they they are shot for 'sport'.
I just loved the combination of colours in these pictures - and while there is no sign of the birds magnificent tail, this is a new species for me on WBW so I went with these pictures.
As ever to join in with WBW click on the blue button below the thumbnails. SM
PS: still struggling with a very heavy cold - so replies may be late. (sorry)
Beautiful birds! Though not as widespread here as they used to be, many states still have large populations.
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart. The problem with out UK Pheasant is that it is a complete mess. Birds bred for shooting are released into the countrside willy-nilly and breed with older feral birds or last years' releases that didn't get shot. There are no truly wild birds as you imply.
ReplyDeleteHello, sorry you are not feeling well, I hope you feel better soon. Love the pheasant, the face details are cool. These birds are known to be escapees around here, they know to run and hide. Great shots. Thanks for hosting. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos of those pheasants, Stewart! Hope you're feeling better soon. Take good care of yourself, and please don't worry about a reply.
ReplyDeleteThere are tons of pheasants in South Dakota, where I grew up and they are widely hunted for sport. The meat is really tasty.
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart!:) So sorry you are not feeling well, get well soon. The only time, I have ever seen a pheasant is in England, when it walked slowly across the road right in front of us. It was a magical moment. Great shots Stewart, it's a very colourful bird, one I would love to see again.
ReplyDeleteLove these shots, get better soon. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful birds. It is too bad that they are hunted so extensively.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon.
Sorry to hear you're not feeling well, praying you'll soon be on the mend. Sad to see such beautiful creatures used for sport.
ReplyDeletehow can killing any creature be sport...I just don't understand
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird...
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart, its not often you can get that close to them unless they turn up as road kill. Also on occasion I have found a big difference in the male colour, as I have posted on in the past.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Gordon.
Stewart, it would be wonderful to see one in person so THANK YOU!!!!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteI too am sharing an immigrant this week. One that I had never heard of or seen before that showed up out of the blue in a nature conservatory. I love your pheasant a very familiar bird to me. Yes and they are even bred on farms in this country and then released for the hunters massacre. And if they aren't killed by the hunters, they probably won't survive because they were raised on a farm and don't know how to survive in the wild. Three cheers for the human race. Sorry you missed the tail ... it is a beauty :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
How great you captured the moment and took a picture of this beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteYes, lovely colors! He's such a pretty bird. I was surprised to learn that pheasants aren't native to the UK...I remember such lovely paintings with pheasants in habitat that was so common to the UK. But when I think about it, it makes sense that they are probably Asiatic birds!
ReplyDeleteWonderful compositions -- yes, the colors are great.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful colors! I hope you get over your cold soon.
ReplyDeletelol, he seem to be sleepy :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird but very noisy under ones bedroom window..We don't see them anymore..We are overdeveloped as are most places these days..
ReplyDeleteSweet face!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen a pheasant in a couple of years now. I need to go a little south of me and start looking again. Gorgeous birds! A couple of years ago, in the dead of winter I had one sitting ON TOP of my bird feeder. Boy, was I confused!
ReplyDeleteOh...get well too!
ReplyDeleteI heard several pheasants while in England - did not manage any photos of one. We have imported "China Pheasants" here - lovely birds - also game birds here.
ReplyDeleteLove the pheasant!!! Great bird!!! And hope you're feeling better today.
ReplyDeletePheasants have such beautiful feather colours~
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