Band-tailed Pigeon

Gallery: AvianPosted April 28, 2012152 views14 comments

I have been working toward getting some decent images of these skittish birds. I didn't use a blind for this one, but sat quiet and still in a partially hidden area. Several pigeons finally came in and I got a few shots of this one on a decent perch before it flew. Unfortunately, the background was unacceptable (a partially defocused deer fence around a fruit tree), so I was forced to blur the background. I also desaturated and darkened it, as it was overwhelming the bird. I'm not totally happy with how the background looks, but much improved over what it had been.

D300, 300F4, 1.4 TC, F5.6, 1/250, ISO 400, HH, nearly full frame - just a slice off the bottom and thin slices off the sides.

All comments are greatly appreciated.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on April 29, 2012 at 7:50 AM

I would say you did a very good job on the BG for that much manipulation. It is very pleasing and I can't really tell it was changed as the edge work around the bird and perch looks great. The bird is wonderful with nice sharpness and detail.

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

Comment posted by John Robinson on April 29, 2012 at 8:49 AM

Great stuff indeed. If they are anything like our pigeons- then skittish is the word !
JR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on April 29, 2012 at 9:01 AM

You may have had to work on the BG, but you do have a very good photo of this bird. I like the sharpness and color. Well done, thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 29, 2012 at 3:08 PM

Terrific image - wonderful detail and natural colors.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 29, 2012 at 5:15 PM

I really like the look back pose this bird gave you, excellent detail and dof even being shot wide open, great bg, great job Jim

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 29, 2012 at 8:05 PM

Very pleasing image Jim. Nice detail, neat perch, and your handy work paid off nicely with this background.

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on April 30, 2012 at 10:42 AM

Looks to me like an impeccable job on the background. Beautiful light, colors and sharpness on the bird.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hansen on April 30, 2012 at 12:01 PM

Thanks for your comments everyone. Fixing the background was a lot of work, but I learned a lot in the process. I'm glad to hear it looks good.

Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments

Comment posted by Basri Akcasoy on April 30, 2012 at 3:15 PM

Very good lean composition with sharp detail of this rare specie. TFS

Registered on February 16, 2012, 118 Posts, 767 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 1, 2012 at 2:05 AM

Excellent. Background looks fine to me.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 2, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Excellent detail and colors. Expert work on the background, looks completely natural. I like the quality of the light.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 2, 2012 at 6:02 AM

Great detail in the larger image Jim. You've done an outstanding job on the background

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

Comment posted by Catherine Reilly on May 3, 2012 at 9:08 PM

Bg looks okay to me, Jim; very complimentary of the colors in the bird. It's a wonderful shot. I've not seen one so blue, but then I've not seen so very many, either! Is it breeding plumage?

Registered on August 16, 2006, 603 Posts, 9192 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on May 4, 2012 at 2:18 PM

Colors and pose are wonderful.

Ray Whitt

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments