Yesterday I went to the upper portion of New York near the St. Lawrence River to attempt to find and photograph hawks in the extensive farming areas located in that region. While I saw quite a few Rough-legged and Red-tailed Hawks, none were cooperative. However, the trip was not a complete photographic failure. At the start of the trip, exploring one of the many country roads, I spotted a female Ring-necked Pheasant at the edge of a field. Hoping to photograph her, I pulled my car onto the side of the road. Within a short amount of time, the female began to come closer, and soon an additional three males came out as well. Within twenty minutes all four of them were eating grit from the road and seemed very comfortable with me in the car nearby. While this image is not particularly special artistically, I am glad to have photographed the Ring-necked Pheasants, if even just to add to my stock collection. In nature photography you may not always get to photograph what you seek, but it always pays to be ready for any surprises that pop up along the way.

Male Ring-necked Pheasant, Lyme, New York

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