Whatbird.com

One of the things I love about bird photography is that when I look back at the old photos every detail comes back: the place, the weather, the smells, even what I was thinking at the time. 

This photo reminded me how confusing birding was when I was first getting started. Taken at Bosque del Apache after I had only been birding for a few months. I had just been trying to shoot a male Ring-necked Pheasant. That was a bird even I could identify.

http://www.whatbird.com/forums/photos/nieblas_gallery/category1040/picture27489.aspx

Then I went around the corner and saw this other large brown bird perching in a tree.

 http://www.whatbird.com/forums/photos/nieblas_gallery/category1040/picture51671.aspx

I sat there for a long while scratching my head and trying to figure out what this big chicken-like bird could be. Some kind of...prarie chicken or something? Couldn't find it in my field guide. What species could it be?

I swear it wasn't until I got home that it dawned on me that it had to be the female pheasant.  

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Chris from Denver

The photos I take are nothing compared to yours. I have a very basic camera and it's more for my own record keeping, but still...you are right! The photos help me bring back every detail...so much better than just thinking about it. It also feels like that bird is more REAL in your mind, well for me anyway...I once watched a Townsend Solitair (sp, sorry no spell check here!) for about 10 minutes, but I didn't have my camera and I regret it TO THIS DAY...

 

These pictures, like your others are just LOVELY...

Awesome photos, Chris!

I saw those when I went to Bosque del Apache a few years ago!

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~cirrus

Chris Bourg:

I swear it wasn't until I got home that it dawned on me that it had to be the female pheasant.  

 

Yep, that's the female.

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Don't cry because it's over, smile because you were there.