inca Dove

Inca Dove (Columbina inca)

Place: Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Superior, AZ
Date: September 18, 2012 8:32 am
Equipment: Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8, TC20E III (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, Sidekick
Exposure: ISO 1600, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/80th @ f/5.6
Raw, PS CS3 on a Mac. 69% of frame (cropped top and right)
No cloning, no noise reduction

Inca Doves are unassuming birds of the southwest. Although they are most often seen near buildings and in parks they are very camera-shy.

I was set up at a water feature in this state park hoping that a vagrant Blue-winged Warbler I’d seen 40 minutes earlier high in a nearby tree would come down for a drink. I never saw the warbler again after my initial too-high view.

The water feature is located in a low light spot, but flash here always creates troublesome shadows on the close background. So, I chose to go wide open on the lens and cranked up the ISO to 1600.

You’ve got to be quick with this species as they take flight at the slightest motion. I wish it had stayed put for a second shot so I could have framed up with a bit more room on the bottom left.

If possible please view the large version before commenting. Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.