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Yesterday, my wife and I had a mated pair of Mourning Doves spend the whole day in our front yard. They were so enamored with each other that they totally ignored us even when we walked past them just five feet away. My wife and I were delighted and I took the opportunity to take about 120 pictures of them. Here is a portrait of the male I took that I especially like.


MOURNING DOVE (MALE)

All fluffed up for his lady love. That is an wonderful shot.

Beautiful...

Annette

that bird is beautiful.

Aren't they cute?

Love birds indeed....Must be spring there..........
Not here

I think she's hiding from the cat

Let's give her a make-over, Shall we? A NEW hairstyle and color, some different make-up, and a new wardrobe and......VOILA!



Remember to keep your lens CLEAN and smear free, to ALWAYS use a flash, even in sunlight, and to try NOT to shoot through the window. Birds are much less scared of you than you think. Set up a chair and tripod 10 - 20 feet from your feeder in a pleasant spot. Have a beverage, a snack and wait for the birds. Talking does not bother them, but sudden, fast moves do, so take it SLOWLY!

Thorn, I must not have my camera set up right because it won't flash unless it's dark outside. It was set up my the guy at the camera shop. As soon as I open the back door my birds take flight. I've even tried slowing opening the window but they seem to sense the movement. You are correct about my lens. I have cleaned it twice in the more than a year that I've had it. Shame on me! I think my instructions said to wipe it with alcohol. I'll try and do better. Am I going to be required to go to summer school?

Naw, Check your Manual about flash settings. You can turn your flash on and off. If you ever lose your manual, you can download one for FREE off your manufacturer's website. Icheck and clean my lenses several times a day. I have a lens cleaning brush from Walmart. On one end is a retractable bristle bush, like a box-cutter, on the other end is a pump spray bottle of liquis cleaning solution especially designed for camera lenses. I also buy and carry special lens cleaning cloths.

Don't open the door or window, go outside WITH THE BIRDS! They don't mind, and some seem actually glad to see you!

I think your birds realize that you ARE bird man because mine fly away as soon as they see me. I did have bats try to attack my head one night and I figured they were trying to nest in my hair so you'd think the birds would like me.

I will clean my lense and act like I know what I'm doing with this camera.