common ground dove

[annmpacheco]

What a beautiful small dove ( slightly larger than a sparrow!) that I believe was a lifer for me in Texas. This is a male with a lovely pink wash and rich rufous brown wings while in flight. I love doves and was quite happy when a pair ventured from the scrubby shrubs and moved across the red dirt. Something startled him and a quick kick of the dirt and a raise of the wings was just what I captured. Luckily this is one of the protected doves that can not be hunted as a gamebird in Texas. Taken from a ground blind.
Levels, sharpened, NR

1Dx
600mm
ISO 1600
7.1
1/1600

[Daniel Grossi]

I'm trying really hard for something to critique on this, but I can't. I love the how the red dirt matches the inside of the wing. DoF here is perfect. I could easily see myself going too shallow here and saving up for ISO-800.

[John Whaley]

Awesome capture. Great dynamic pose, low pov and high IQ. Love the colors, bright clear eye and feather detail. The raised foot and flying dirt adds.

[Isaac Grant]

I think this is my favorite shot you have ever posted Ann. Well this and the shoveler in flight. Love everything here. Colors, pose, details, eye contact. All just great. I do think it needs a touch of clockwise rotation and maybe lift the exposure a tiny bit.

[David Policansky]

Dove on Mars! What a wonderful image, Ann. I can't imagine how it could be improved.

[gail bisson]

I love Dave's tirle! Dove on Mars! Good one.
Lovely image and agree with Isaac's critique 100%,
Gail

[David Salem]

Wow Ann this looks great!! Love the complementary colors and smoking details. Very nice

[Glenn Pure]

Really wonderful image, Ann. I especially like the kicked-up bits of earth in this. Great low POV really adds. Detail, colour and tone on the bird look superb set in this striking colour scene. Hard to beat this.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Love the low angle and the action with the dirt flying. The eye is well rendered.
I would suggest tiny bit more exposure and check the yellows and reds they are just a little heavy and check contrast too.

[Bill Dix]

Well captured, Ann. Love the richness of the color, and the pose complete with flying red dirt. Good one!

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Beautifully captured.

Awesome colors.

Thanks for sharing

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Ann, you nailed this. Great light and IQ, and the detail you have captured is tops. Love the raised foot and flying dirt, and the two tone BG works well. We tend to over look Doves/Pigeons, but you have shown that they make great subjects.