Mourning Dove In Snow Heaven.

[Daniel Cadieux]

It's been a quiet 2020 so far for me photography-wise (but busy otherwise), so here is a Mourning Dove I photographed in my backyard last week. This was the only position I could get with the feet clear. I went back inside to grab a chair to get higher, but when I came back out it had moved to another, fully obstructed, perch deeper inside my apple tree.

Canon 7DII + 500mm f/4 II, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/200s., f/7.1, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, FF.

[Aditya Sridhar]

Pretty much perfect, Dan. Love the colors, feel and comp. The blue eye ring is gorgeous. Techs are great as usual. The only thing I'd do is darken the pupil just a bit. Very nice, pleasing portrait.

[gail bisson]

Beautiful IQ on the dove. The drops on top of the head add a lot.
I like how the snow frames and cocoons the dove.
I wonder if you could get a bit more detail in the FG snow?
Gail

[Steve Kaluski]

Sweet capture Dan, love the droplets on the head.

TFS
Steve

[dankearl]

Nice subject, I agree with Gail, re, detail in the snow.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks guys! No detail to extract in the snow though as it is all oof - it would only become grayer and less appealing.

[Steve Kaluski]

No detail to extract in the snow though as it is all oof - it would only become grayer and less appealing.

Actually here is Dan :w3, but totally agree with you, the soft grey is not appealing look/addition and detracts, it almost via's with the subject IMHO.

[John Mack]

Love the water drops on the head. Nice vertical framing as well. Detail looks great.

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

Lovely shot, of an under appreciated bird. They are so elegant looking, and this one is nicely framed by the snow. I am not bothered by the shooting angle you mentioned, no chair needed!

Cheers

Randy