Mourning Doves like this one have always been a challenge to photograph, until I understood their feeding behavior. They are ground feeders, and are pretty skittish. They land 20 ft. or more AWAY from the food source, and then carefully (and on high alert) make their way over to it. Then they sit perfectly still, assessing the area, and even a cloud passing over the sun will startle them into flight. The trick was to anticipate where they were going, and then just wait; they relax a bit once they begin eating, and that's when I tried for a shot. I love the bit of irridecence on his feathers.
Greetings! I'm from Connecticut (USA) Photography is one of my lifelong passions (others including gardening, woodworking, history, and being a part...
Well done in capturing this one; obviously doves everywhere have the same sort of behaviour. I haven't been able to get a decent shot of our turtle doves for years for the same reason.
@princesicita Thanks so much Princess; he really is a beautiful boy. Also interersting to me is that they mate for life, so seeing a single on is not too common. Me best, Les x
@mjmaven Thanks a lot Shirley...........I was fortunate that the sun was shining on him just a bit to bring out his colors. Lucky me! Me best to you, Les
@girlie Thanks so much Robin..I'd LOVE to see a photo of a Turtle Dove. I suppose that wild Doves are so skittish because they are ground feeders, and make for easy prey. Keep trying! :D Take care, Les x
Ignore my previous posts; having trouble sending you the link for the spotted turtle dove that I took a couple of years ago. Think this should do it! http://365project.org/girlie/365/2010-07-11
