Band-Tailed Pigeon

[Mark Schmitt]

This is a large, indigenous pigeon of the Western United States, Canada and Mexico. They are voracious eaters. This individual is part of a large flock of these birds that invade my yard. It is not unusual for a flock of these to consume 50 lbs of sunflowere seeds in half an hour. Though they frequent the yard they are a wary and timid bird. Any movement at all will send them off.

PP: very little was done to this image, it is nearly full frame. Sharpening ( in two steps: 1st is to create a layer of the bird only and apply "high pass" then select soft light. This defines edges where there is pronounced contrast; then flatten. 2nd create a new layer, select lab color, then light channel, apply smart sharpen); color sat is done in chan mix mode.

EXIF:
Canon 30D
Canon EF 500 IS L
Metering: pattern
EXP: 1/4000 @ f 5.6, -.33 exp comp
ISO: 400
White bal: custom 5050K

Feel free ;)

[Fabs Forns]

That is one good looking bird, with very nicely contrasting BG with a great head turn.
I might lighten the iris a bit.

[Mark Schmitt]

That is one good looking bird, with very nicely contrasting BG with a great head turn.
I might lighten the iris a bit.

Thanks. I did lighten it up some, but any more and it took on some color aberations; so, I thought leave well enough alone. Appreciate your comments ;)