Why Did the Pheasant Cross the Road?

Why did the Pheasant cross the road?

  • To test Arti’s reaction time.

How did the Pheasant cross the road?

  • Ignoring traffic, thought he had the right of way. (Although I must mention there was just one car on that quiet road.)

**

So, I passed the test, parked the car quickly, then started stalking him. Just like in the movies…

From a distance, he knew someone was following him, so he quickened his step. And the stalker, with no lightpost to hide behind, picked up the pace but ever so quietly, camera in hand.

From a distance, these photos were taken, just in time for Saturday Snapshot:

Running Pheasant

Running Pheasant 1Male PhaesantI decided to spare him after a few minutes. He was almost in a panic of being followed, albeit from a distance. I’d never seen a bird so colourful and with so long a tail.

After I got home and did some researching and asking, I learned that I had sighted a male Ring-necked Pheasant, the blue-backed variety, which was supposed to be quite rare, at least, rare in my neck of the woods.

***

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. CLICK HERE to see what others have posted.

Published by

Arti

If she’s not birding by the Pond, Arti’s likely watching a movie, reading, or writing a review. Creator of Ripple Effects, bylines in Asian American Press, Vague Visages, Curator Magazine.

31 thoughts on “Why Did the Pheasant Cross the Road?”

  1. That is a fine looking Pheasant. He did seem to want to get away from you. We don’t see them too often in my area either, although there are a few around.

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    1. BermudaOnion,

      He was so colourful. First time I saw something like that. I just learned today that they originate from China. 😉

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    1. Deb,

      LOL! Yes, I can see the parallel. Sure, that explains why all the paparazzi and stalkers following celebs. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment!

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    1. Nise,

      Oh I was safe alright, only he was fleeing. Funny thing is, he was walking to get away from me… why didn’t he fly? He could have got out of my sight very easily.

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  8. What wonderful photos! Pheasants are quick and nervous and easy to spook – you did well!

    Back in the day, my daddy and grandpa and uncles and all their friends would go out and stalk these birds, too. Their purpose was rather different than yours, of course. Pheasant-hunting is an autumn ritual in the midwest. The men would spend hours tramping the corn fields to bring home enough birds for a meal or two. They’re wonderful eating, I’ll say that.

    My mother always made my doll clothes. One year, she made a wonderful coat and hat for one of my big dolls – the hat had a wonderful pheasant feather tucked into its band! Granted, it was cut down to size just a bit, but it was the fanciest doll hat around.

    And here’s a photo of my mother’s cousin Tom with his brace of birds, his dog and his gun. It’s of interest because he was part of the branch of the family that moved up to Canada – to Saskatchewan. They hung on for a while, and did some sod-busting, but finally decided they weren’t tough enough to be Canadians and came back home.

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    1. Linda,

      LOL! “They weren’t tough enough to be Canadians and came back home.” And here’s a Canadian who has never seen a Pheasant before until now. But then again, one just might need to be tougher to live in Sask. 😉 Thanks for that photo… you’ve kept excellent family history. One of these days, I can see you publish a book on local folklores and real stories. I was talking to my birding leader today and he told me the Pheasant originated in China. Marco Polo brought it back to Europe then in turn it came to North America. No wonder, the colours look very ‘oriental’, even like a Phoenix (pictures of it anyway).

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    1. Jeanie,

      I know you might have seen them before, but for me, it was the first time. So quite fun. He was kind of lost and you can see at the fence of other people’s backyard.

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  11. What a gorgeous bird, Arti. I love those colors and what plumage. All I ever see in NYC are pigeons, mourning doves and sparrows. I like them but compared to your rock star, they rather meh. Thanks for turning paparazzo!

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  12. Isn’t he a pretty fellow! I used to live further out from the city and had to drive through farm fields to get to my house and would frequently see pheasants especially in the fall. I was always surprised and delighted to see them. A few years later the farm fields were sold and developed and the pheasants disappeared.

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    1. Stefanie,

      This is my first time seeing a Pheasant, actually I didn’t even know what it was when it crossed my path. Been a city gal all my life… that’s why. 😉

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  15. How did I miss this post? He’s gorgeous. I would have turned stalker too. I’m glad you had your camera with you so we got to share the adventure.

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    1. Louise,

      You see, I had my camera because I was driving into that area to go birding. Never would I expect a Pheasant would cross the road in front of me as I drove near there. I was at the right place and time, so was he. 😉

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