Beautiful Introduced Species

Much of the time when someone mentions an introduced species, the thought of negative, unexpected consequences comes to mind - think of plants or fish species that take over native populations. On those more rare occasions when an introduced species does not have detrimental effects, we think nothing but good of them - as in the ring-necked pheasant.

Conditions like we have had the past couple of days have made rooster pheasants shine. The sun on their bright, colorful feathers against a background of snow is a sight to behold. Such compositions are certainly a delight to nature photographers - an introduced species or not.

This fellow was out scratching around in a field of snow. I could not see that he hit any grain, but with a little more time and perhaps some luck, he will have a meal for the day. Or, by being exposed out in the open he may become a meal for the day for an eagle, fox, or coyote.