This photo (see adjacent) captures a pheasant on the Conservancy’s Silva tract preserve. The photo is not doctored or enhanced in any way. And the reason for including this on the blog? Check out the bright colors. I have never seen such bright coloration on one of these guys. BTW, the photo was taken from a still camera, concealed, with motion-detect trigger. There is no way a human could have gotten this close to the sprightly young gent.
Big bird
Photo taken by Conservancy staff at a Conservancy preserve, 2025. With this article is a photo of a Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) in flight. It’s on one of the Conservancy’s marsh complexes. While the Conservancy has prepared the preserves mostly for the benefit of the Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), …