Croaking Ground Doves

Gallery: AvianPosted March 26, 2011142 views14 comments

Here's another shot from Southwest Ecuador. This is the name of the species - these birds do sound quite a bit like frogs. I had setup a water drip as this is a dry part of Ecuador and water is great for bringing birds in for photos in dry areas. These birds perched on a natural perch above my drip. Both of these birds were males and they seemed to enjoy each other's company a lot, at one point chasing off a female. It's cropped to about 85% of the original image.

MkIV 500F4 1.4x 1/1000 F9, iso 500, evalutive metering +1, Feisol 3372 rapid tripod, pop up blind.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Hali Sowle on March 26, 2011 at 3:53 PM

Great image Nate, beautiful colors - especially the yellow in the beak and the red streak in the wing, great light and exposure, I really like the raised foot of the front bird it gives it something other than a static feeling. I like the perch, its got great character but I find that twig hanging down under the branch distracting. I know it's part of the branch but it's a bit distracting in an otherwise smooth background.

Registered on January 9, 2008, 36 Posts, 582 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on March 26, 2011 at 4:34 PM

I'm fine with it as posted, Nate. When I first saw the shot, for some reason I thought of soldiers on parade.....with the lead bird starting prematurely. I love the delicate shades of brown here. I didn't even notice the downward extending branch until I read Hall's comment.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 26, 2011 at 6:35 PM

love these poses and the "looks" on the birds faces. really nicely captured, Nate. DOF is good too. I think Hali has a good idea about removing the twig.

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

Comment posted by Ken Canning on March 26, 2011 at 7:36 PM

A beautiful pair, I have not seen this species before. Nice composition. Really like the eyes.Raised foot adds a sense of movement to the image. Very nice.

Registered on February 10, 2004, 88 Posts, 549 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 26, 2011 at 7:47 PM

Neat birds and excellent image.We get both Common and Ruddy Ground Doves here in AZ. I didn't know about this species before.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 26, 2011 at 9:41 PM

Great image of this pair Nate, I'm always looking for that two-in-one opportunity as well.
Doesn't happen very often, you've done a fine job here

PS - I might clone out that dark branch bottom if it was mine, easy enough to do..

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 27, 2011 at 7:34 AM

What great characters Nate - the eye makes thems look almost cartoonish. Love the comp.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 27, 2011 at 10:43 AM

Another cool bird I've never heard of...I love their eyes! Perch is fine for me and always nice to get a 2fer! Nice! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on March 27, 2011 at 2:03 PM

Very interesting birds and great capture as usual, Nate. The raised foot, perch and identical poses make this interesting for me.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 27, 2011 at 2:49 PM

Really nice Nate. Love the plumage patterns and colors on this species. Great comp, sharpness, and detail. Always nice to get two birds sharp in frame. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 27, 2011 at 8:12 PM

You are sure having a string of great "two bird" photos, with both sharp. Very interesting birds and a great photo of them.

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 27, 2011 at 8:29 PM

What a cool looking Dove, Nate. Excellent image, Nice lighting, a nice perch and great detail. Superb.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on March 28, 2011 at 2:21 PM

Fantastic photograph Nate.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 28, 2011 at 3:06 PM

Excellent capture. Great to get both birds marching forward. Even better that the lead bird was out of step and raised his foot first.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments