OPENING SHOT Hunkered down Photo: by Vic Schendel Gear: Canon EOS 7D Settings: 1/500 sec, f/8, ISO 800 s a wildlife, nature and outdoor adventure photographer I often get invited to tag along and take pictures of friends and acquaintances enjoying their outdoor adventures. One of my favorites is heading to the endless prairies and golden cornfields to watch my companions and their dogs hunt pheasants. Listening to the breeze rustling through the corn leaves, watching in anticipation as a bird is about to flush, hearing pheasants cackle and watching in awe as the dogs work their magic is an incredible experience. There are times I try to sneak up and photograph a rooster at close range. The males, with their russet plumage, long tails, white ring around the neck and a handsome head of green and black with bright red wattles seem to be made for a wildlife picture. Pheasants can be difficult to photograph because they have incredible eyesight, good hearing and can run nearly 10 mph. I was in southeast Wyoming looking down a row of corn stalks when I noticed this beautiful bird hunkered down and hiding as best it could. A Wyoming Wildlife | 7