Theme: pigeon

[Bob Smith]

Another common bird that can have wonderful colours and patterns and is a challenging target for BIF photography. Shot was taken on a community wharf on the Fraser R. just above the Westham Is. bridge in S. Delta, B.C. Nikon D600, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6IF-ED, ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1500

[Isaac Grant]

Super cool background and details look pretty good. I think the crop is a bit odd for a portrait but maybe it is good that it is odd when you are photographing such a common yet overlooked bird. I would lower the saturation on the whole photo. Also looks like you have a dust spot left of the bird and just above eye level.

[Bob Smith]

Thanks for commenting Isaac. I did wrestle with whether to crop this to the left or right ( the OP is as it came out of the camera ) but this centralized , head-on presentation spoke to me in some way. Here's a look at moving it left and blowing it up a bit with a crop. For some reason the image ( both of them ) are losing a bit of crispness in the post...the entire neck, head ( except the tip of the beak ), and eyes are razor crisp on my iMac.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The repost has a much better composition and overall IQ, but is now too dark. Rock Doves are quite beautiful, you've made that apparent here!

[Bob Smith]

Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction on overall exposure Daniel. I hope this RP is better and not sure why I was leaning so heavily to the dark side-----maybe residual mood of the socked in winter we've had.....but it's full on spring here now although still getting our share of west coast rain.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes! Now we're talking!

[Isaac Grant]

Third one is much better. Nice job!

[Bob Smith]

Thanks guys.'