I was sitting here at the computer this morning, replying to comments that readers had left on this blog and counting my blessings.  I noticed some movement out on the snow covered lawn.  It was a hen pheasant.  Soon the male appeared.

I reached for the camera knowing that I couldn’t shoot through that window.  The blinds, though open, were down.  The glass was decorated with a mix of winter precipitation.  I went to the other window.  And waited.

Soon the male came into view.  He was running.  She was coyly following.

The male, on the run, leads the female across the lawn.

I am amazed at how fast these short legged birds can run.  They ran a little further up the hill and stopped to look behind.  They want to make sure there is not a fox or a coyote in pursuit.

Looking back to see if anything is stalking them.

After checking carefully, they turned and ran into the brush of the fence row where they disappeared from my view.

I wonder if that the same silly male that flew into the side of our house recently.  Or maybe it’s his cousin?