Ring-necked Pheasant

Chasing the tail of a female across a two-lane highway and down into the ditch running alongside it. I'm not sure if this male was attracted to the clicks my camera was making or if it thought I was a potential rival for his girl but, while the female was shy and hurried away, the male continued to fearlessly approach me until he was less than 5 feet away. What finally turned his head and feet away from us was his female going off into the woods nearby. I believe this male was in full-rut or breeding mode as I've never seen one with more dazzling color, plumage or...dare I say fluffiness. He kind of reminded me of the Tom Turkeys running about in all their breeding plumage and splendor right now, actually for the past 6 or 7 weeks. Spring courtship is such a fabulous time to be out and about with a camera.