21 December 2019
Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and Miriam and I got an early start on a ramble through the hinterlands of Waterloo and Wellington counties, in search of the winter specialties which are starting to take up residence here. We were especially searching for Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) but were unsuccessful in our quest, although the conditions are now suitable for this most glorious of birds. I have little doubt that in the next week or two we will find one or more.
The temperature hovered around minus 6 degrees C, with bright sunshine, perfect weather for a winter's day in Ontario.
Creeks and streams are now frozen over.
In driving around today my mind took me towards John Riley's great work of 2013, The Once and Future Great Lakes Country, and I was doubly reminded of the great fortune we have to live in such a wonderful part of the world.
It will be hard for many to give credence to the fact that we came across a "better" bird than a Snowy Owl, a species in fact that I have seen but twice in Waterloo Region and today for the first time in Wellington County. I am referring to the Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and we encountered a magnificent male specimen.
I remember vividly during a visit to the UK several years ago seeing this bird almost every day, and sometimes several at a time. It is an introduced species, having been brought into both the UK and Canada for hunting purposes. Thousands are released each year in order that they may be promptly shot, but some birds inevitably elude the gunners and feral populations become established, more so in England it appears, for it is seldom seen here.
This individual was about as cooperative as a bird can be and was within photographic range for nigh on a half hour.
We had pulled onto the shoulder of the road, and by following Miriam's instructions - 'Pull forward a couple of metres," "Back up a little," "Go past the tree," and so on, she was able to capture some very pleasing shots.
At one point it was in the open in a field of corn stubble.
It was altogether a very pleasing encounter, and our day was made. Anything after this would constitute the proverbial icing on the cake.
We didn't have cake with us, but we did have two of Miriam's world class blueberry muffins on hand, and a thermos of coffee, the pleasure of which was magnified by our serendipitous encounter with a handsome bird.
For a birder every day holds promise, and every day delivers in greater or lesser measure. Today was one for the record book. There are many more to come, I am sure.
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WHAT an absolute stunner. (And its current habitat is incredible too). Many thanks to you and to Miriam. I do hope your birding cup continues to overflow.
ReplyDeleteWow! Now that's one stunning bird. Glad the hunters weren't out. Not a lot ofcamouflage for him. I would feel that a spotting like that would be a special gift.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Winter is a good time to look for the pheasant as vegetation is at minimum, it stands out and can easily be seen.
ReplyDeleteCocoș de Munte - this is called in the Carpathians.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a beautiful bird. When I was living in England I saw them often, and they are quite common here in Germany, too. You caught a magnificent example. And then coffee and blueberry muffins, too! Heavenly. Valerie
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I know there are sub-species and hybridisation of the Common Pheasant all over and this one is rather different than the ones seen here. (Don't know about England, but certainly prolific and semi-domestic in Scotland. Introduced by the Romans, so while not native, I think fair to say they are naturalised!) The blue neck and grey head with light rear feathers in your magnificent sighting, suggest this is the Chinese variant. Well done on the 'shooting' Miriam and thank you David for excellent vehicle manoeuvers!!!
Wishing you all the best and warmest greetings for the Festival season - will be back with you in 2020 with expectations of many more excellent features from you and yours! YAM xx
Looks pretty similar to me and you can clearly see the ring around the neck. The second image, of course, is of the female. I note that you mention hybridisation and I am wondering which bird is the other partner in the UK.
DeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteIn Canada you can obviously see a lot of snow, the real winter conditions yoy want te see durig this time of the year. The beautiful pheasant in the snow is an absolute beauty.
What a difference with us: hardly any sun, regularly rain or drizzle, dull grey days, temperatures of about 6-8 degrees. It can of course be a lot worse: think of Australia these days!
Anyway, a change for the better is certainly going to come.
Greetings, Kees
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL pheasant photos!! I haven't seen a pheasant since childhood (and that was many many decades ago). Good luck in your quest for that special bird!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with us this week and adding your blog to I'd Rather B Birdin'
Wow, what a wonderful blog you have here David.
ReplyDeleteThis is pure enjoyment.
Greetings Tinie
Oh, what a beautiful winter and a great bird.
ReplyDeletePheasants appeared quite often in my meadow.
Unfortunately, now before Christmas hunters massively hunt.
I'm afraid to go out into the woods !!!
They kill deer, pheasants, deer, wild boars, elks, ducks and geese.
This is awful! present killed animals on public television.
Hugs and greetings to you and to Miriam:)
Lucja
I saw a pheasant nearby on the island and misnamed it now I believe. I could only shoot the bird from the back and a bit of the side. Such pretty birds.
ReplyDeleteWhen we venture forth, we never know what awaits. It’s what keeps us going!
Preciosa y bella imagen la de ese bello Faisán y que la nieve resalta aún más su esplendido porte y bellos colores. Muy buenos los disparos de Miriam.
ReplyDeleteUn fuerte abrazo queridos amigos.
Hello David, I do hope you will get the change to encounter with a Snow owl. Winter just started and you have already snow. So good change you will see one or two. Here Winter is far away with lots of rain.
ReplyDeleteThe pheasant is a nice colourful bird and the photos are verry nice indeed.
Regards,
Roos
Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI hope there are many record days ahead for me too, as a birder! ;)
Miriam captured the winter's landscape so well and the amazing photos of the pheasant! The colors are so strikingly beautiful. Wishing you many more days of pleasing encounters and looking forward to seeing the Snowy Owl.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird, although the snowy owl is magnificent well worth observing this so fantastic exotic bird, it is incredible to think that some hunt it only for the pleasure of killing. Very good photos Good thing you could enjoy some muffins and hot coffee to make the day even more pleasant
ReplyDeleteYes, as has been mentioned earlier that is slightly different from the ones in the UK which have less white on them and usually lack the white above the eye. We also have some that have no ring around their neck and some very dark birds too. These are all the same bird, Phasianus colchicus, but different races which have been imported more recently. I presume the birds introduced long ago to different countries have evolved these variations. They are all magnificent birds though and the females also have subtle beauty.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful birds and wonderful photographs :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
El faisán se ve precioso, tuve algunos domésticos en el corral. Besitos.
ReplyDeleteHi David - Miriam's photos are stunning ... and such a fantastic scene ... loved seeing it in its winter habitat ... he really glows. Must have been glorious to see - cheers and have a peaceful blessed time - Hilary
ReplyDeleteBażant jak nasz polski, ale beret założył inny! :-)
ReplyDeletePięknie wygląda na śniegu, a śniegu Wam zazdroszczę!
That is a very attractive bird.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful bird especially on that white background!!
ReplyDeleteYep, the snow does help it to stand out.
DeleteIl y a quelques semaines j'ai vu s'envoler une poule faisane de mon jardin!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful bird and fine images.
ReplyDeleteBest regards, Corrie
This pheasant is quite photogenic.
ReplyDeleteHi David. Great series of pics. Of course we also know Pheasant.(also called Phasianus colchicus) The white ring is not closed in the neck and without white eyebrow line. However, a totally different bird than our Pheasants. It is a beauty with that beautiful cap!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful landscape with snow conditions
Best Wishes,
Maria
I am not sure what you are implying by "totally different bird" Maria. There are slight differences in plumage, I agree, not unexpected in disjunct populations. But it is still Phasianus colchicus. Feral Pigeons (aka Rock Doves) are all Columba livia, despite their enormous difference in plumage, due to selective breeding. The same is true for Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) bred by humans to select for different colours, but they are all Budgerigars. Surely you would not claim differently? In many raptors there is considerable variation in plumage from very light morph birds to dark forms. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) would be an example where you live, but because they have a different morphology does make them different birds.
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