Regal eagle and escapee?

[MN Shutterbug]

Found the beautiful eagle just 15 miles from home. He was quite cooperative. The hen pheasant either escaped from somewhere or is getting ready to rob a grain bank. I didn't even notice the mask until I transferred the pic to my pc. It's probably the last day we see the sun for awhile, and with more snow in tomorrow's forecast, I thought it best to get out for a couple hours.

[Steve Foss]

I didn't know they made Breathe Right strips for pheasants.

Nice work!

[Canon Guy]

Nice captures!

[Dbl]

Looks good!

[Jim Almquist]

Great looking Eagle and what a strange looking Pheasant

[JayinMN]

Nice eagle shot! I wonder how long before that hen gets picked off by a hawk.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Honestly, what is that on the birds face?

[MN Shutterbug]

I emailed a buddy in Canby, and here is what he told me. "The hen is a libby from a game farm. The nose piece keeps them from pecking each other in the pen. Operators remove the piece when they put the birds out for clients. This one escaped." I kind of suspected something like that. She wasn't real skittish.

Even though, I still like Steve's explanation, even if not real credible.

Thanks for the comments.