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Ring Neck Pheasant ~ Full Breeding Plumage

Discussion in 'Birds' started by jfenton, Apr 9, 2007.

  1. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Easter morning found me kneeling in snow at a balmy 19 degrees Fahrenheit at dawn looking for partridges....and I didn't find any.

    I did however, find this beautiful male ring necked pheasant in full breeding dress.

    The first image is interesting as the bird was completely backlit even though the sun had not yet crested the hill to the east of where we were positioned. I was forced to overexpose the scene in order to light the bird properly and if you note the blue shadows cast by the bird, they were visible when I took the shot.....I therefore opted to leave them as they appeared to my eyes:

    original.
    NIKON D2Xs    ---    500mm    f/6.3    1/180s    ISO 640


    A shot with nearby brush as a backdrop:

    original.
    NIKON D2Xs    ---    500mm    f/7.1    1/250s    ISO 640


    In front of the pines.....

    original.
    NIKON D2Xs    ---    500mm    f/7.1    1/125s    ISO 640


    A change of position with some early sun now beginning to illuminate the bird:

    original.
    NIKON D2Xs    ---    500mm    f/5.6    1/320s    ISO 640


    A head shot in full early morning sun:

    original.
    NIKON D2Xs    ---    500mm    f/5.6    1/1250s    ISO 400
     
    jfenton, Apr 9, 2007
    #1
  2. BostonRott

    BostonRott

    13,855
    Aug 1, 2006
    Massachusetts
    Wow, he is truly stunning!!!
     
    BostonRott, Apr 9, 2007
    #2
  3. tojor

    tojor

    5,279
    Jul 27, 2005
    Denmark
    Super shots. Real colorful bird. I bet the female pheasants are going to like him.
     
    tojor, Apr 9, 2007
    #3
  4. GonzoBernelli

    GonzoBernelli

    5,098
    Nov 11, 2005
    Houston, TX
    Amazing shots Jim - you've really nailed "it" with this series....
     
    GonzoBernelli, Apr 9, 2007
    #4
  5. Gale

    Gale

    978
    Jan 26, 2005
    Viera Fl
    Wow what a beautiful colorful bird. I have never seen one..
    Super shots....
     
    Gale, Apr 9, 2007
    #5
  6. TOLady

    TOLady

    14,461
    Mar 31, 2005
    Toronto Canada
    Superb shots, Jim - those colours! You've really nailed these. I love the first one the best. Well done.
     
    TOLady, Apr 9, 2007
    #6
  7. jimmyc1000

    jimmyc1000

    300
    Jun 14, 2006
    Fantastic shots. Love the rich colors and texture. Very well done.
     
    jimmyc1000, Apr 9, 2007
    #7
  8. james thiel

    james thiel

    8,823
    May 15, 2005
    Mill Creek, WA.
    WOW Jim. Just beautiful images here. Well done once again.
     
    james thiel, Apr 9, 2007
    #8
  9. Louis Champan

    Louis Champan

    18,042
    Jul 13, 2005
    Newcastle, Washington
    Jim, absolutely beautiful shots all of them. However the second one should be hanging on someone's wall.

    Louie
     
    Louis Champan, Apr 9, 2007
    #9
  10. Allan

    Allan Subscribing Member

    13,118
    Apr 21, 2006
    Nashua, NH
    These are incredible shots - focus, exposure, composition, getting close to the bird. I don't see how you could have made them any better.
     
    Allan, Apr 9, 2007
    #10
  11. jfenton

    jfenton

    4,506
    Jan 26, 2005
    Haverhill, MA
    Thanks Folks

    I appreciate you're taking the time to look and I'm glad that you liked the shots....I was really pleased with them myself :) 
     
    jfenton, Apr 9, 2007
    #11
  12. Retief

    Retief Subscribing Member

    15,248
    Jan 26, 2005
    Marysville, WA
    #1 is really an interesting shot, almost looks like something one might try to set up in a studio, and still would not look quite so interesting. Great example of being prepared and in place at the right time, eh, who would have thought?

    Saw a bunch of these over the weekend, luckily it was much warmer for us, but couldn't get one to stay around long enough for anything but a Butt Shot.

    I like these a lot, but #1 is really special, in my opinion. And the "story line" has a lot to do with it as well.
     
    Retief, Apr 9, 2007
    #12
  13. The chemist

    The chemist

    2,322
    Jul 22, 2005
    nashville
    I would be very pleased as well jim! Simply stunning job :wink:
     
    The chemist, Apr 9, 2007
    #13
  14. Gunnerisac

    Gunnerisac

    1,127
    Oct 4, 2005
    Louisville, KY
    Beautifully done, Jim.

    PaulC
     
    Gunnerisac, Apr 9, 2007
    #14
  15. woundedmallard

    woundedmallard

    2,747
    Jul 1, 2006
    Titusville, Florida
    Outstanding!
     
    woundedmallard, Apr 9, 2007
    #15
  16. HarryB

    HarryB

    5,525
    Jan 28, 2005
    Viera, Florida
    Fantastic
     
    HarryB, Apr 9, 2007
    #16
  17. asaya

    asaya

    1,546
    Aug 7, 2006
    Syracuse, NY
    Tony Saya
    The second shot is outstanding the vibrancy of the color is great.

    Where I worked many years ago had a flock of pheasants and the males were just outstandingly beautiful just like your shots here.

    In NY pheasants are becoming increasingly rare
     
    asaya, Apr 9, 2007
    #17
  18. vettenut

    vettenut

    1,581
    Feb 27, 2006
    Tolland CT
    Wonderful series of shots, composition wise, sharp etc...etc...wonderfull color. You can't do any better than this Jim - Great Job-Jeff
     
    vettenut, Apr 9, 2007
    #18
  19. Timeout

    Timeout

    1,022
    May 23, 2006
    SoCal
    Jim, all extremely beautiful shots but #1 has that Jim Fenton signature all over it. Who else can pull shots like that?
     
    Timeout, Apr 9, 2007
    #19
  20. GeoKost

    GeoKost

    1,720
    May 14, 2006
    Mount Ida, Arkansas.
    Very nice shots there Jim, thanks for sharing.

    George.
     
    GeoKost, Apr 9, 2007
    #20
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