Mourning Dove

Gallery: AvianPosted May 16, 2010148 views21 comments

I probably ignore this species as a photographic subject more often than I should. This was shot close to the shore of the Great Salt Lake and most rocks in the area are creamy white and they don't make particularly appealing perches. So I was happy to find this bird on this interesting rock (Tintic Quartzite?) in early morning light. I have other shots of the dove in more traditional poses but I thought this one added some interest.

Larger version included

7D, 1/1000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 5-13-10, cropped to 53% of original image, sharpened, no other processing, natural light

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on May 16, 2010 at 6:26 PM

I photographed one this morning Ron and culled the images because they didn't interest me. Huge difference here. Great pose, excellent perch, fine light and perfect supporting bg. I like this one a lot.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on May 16, 2010 at 7:29 PM

The BG here really shows off this stretching dove Ron. Great coloration and feather detail, excellent action pose and perch. It WORKS!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on May 16, 2010 at 7:35 PM

I like the matching colours here.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on May 16, 2010 at 7:45 PM

Well of course it's Tintic Quartzite.
http://resweb.llu.edu/rford/docs/VGD/GSLVT/gslstop3.html

A good clear view of the underside of the wings. Sharp from end to end. No exposure issues. About as good as it gets I'd say.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 16, 2010 at 9:16 PM

Very nice image: detailed; sharp; natural color; nice light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 16, 2010 at 9:21 PM

Love the light - and the tail spread is sweet.

Btw, you and Charlie ROCK! (Sorry.. couldn't resist..)

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on May 16, 2010 at 9:43 PM

Beautiful image, excellent pose. No nits from me. You and that pickup window........

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 16, 2010 at 10:40 PM

Lovely image Ron.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 16, 2010 at 10:59 PM

Nice, Ron. I really like the palette and it's an interesting pose with a very nice head turn. I too usually ignore these. When I do take shots, I'm never satisfied. This one would.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 16, 2010 at 11:35 PM

Ron,

You already know I love this image, a common bird that does not look common at all because of the pose, the light, setting and your usual fine techs.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 17, 2010 at 1:00 AM

Really interesting pose and perch make this a lovely shot Ron

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 17, 2010 at 3:39 AM

COOL pose!!
plus Your usual fine detail, comp, pose and BG -

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 17, 2010 at 6:18 AM

Beautiful light and detail Ron (as usual)

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on May 17, 2010 at 8:51 AM

quite nice, Ron. The light and pose are both excellent, and capture the subtle beauty in an easily overlooked species.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 17, 2010 at 12:37 PM

Super Nice

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on May 17, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Hi Ron,

I think Mourning Doves are beautiful in both sight and sound. I too usually ignore them and still don't have a photo that I really love.

Great job with this one. Pose and perch both working to your advantage.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 17, 2010 at 5:23 PM

Ron:
I'm guilty of ignoring the Mourning Dove too. Why? It has very interesting colors, especially the eye ring. In your shot, the BG, rock perch and pose do add a lot of interest. Very nice!

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on May 17, 2010 at 6:16 PM

I think the Doves do not get the respect that they deserve. It would be wonderfull to see your considerable talents on a few more.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on May 17, 2010 at 9:18 PM

I'm waiting for your next post, when a raptor swoops in and grabs this dove.

The perch colors really compliment the bird nicely.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 17, 2010 at 11:59 PM

Nicely balanced composition Ron. I like the slight diagonal slant of the rock perch. I see this species 2 or 3 times a season, usually at the top of an 80 ft high spruce...

I would be all over this subject. Looks great, well done!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on May 19, 2010 at 3:21 PM

I like the light and the tail feather spread showing off the many colors on this dove, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments