My mourning dove is not as nice....

[ChrisBoy]

...as Windoze's, but that's the best I have got so far:( .

In defence of us bushcomber shooters, we seldom can compete with backyard feeder, aviary, zoo and similar type of photography. For example, I have spent over an hour chasing a Cooper's hawk thru the bush today and do not have a single shot to show for it. The bird just kept running me around like a spit on the hot stove, always flying a few feet above ground thru the scrub like a cruise missile.

[windoze]

...as Windoze's, but that's the best I have got so far:( .

In defence of us bushcomber shooters, we seldom can compete with backyard feeder, aviary, zoo and similar type of photography. For example, I have spent over an hour chasing a Cooper's hawk thru the bush today and do not have a single shot to show for it. The bird just kept running me around like a spit on the hot stove, always flying a few feet above ground thru the scrub like a cruise missile.


it's a really nice capture and you dont need to make excuses for it!
personally I feel there is no difference between taking pics of "feeder" vs. "nonfeeder" birds as long as you get the picture you wanted. yes i agree that pics in the field are more fun and more challenging but the final image you end up is all that matters.. IMHO. Anyway, I do like your pic and i hope to see more!!
BTW, i spent more than an hour waiting for the dove and i had to fight off my "kids" from trying to get me to go buy them lunch.... now that's demanding / extreme shooting conditions! ;)


troy

[ChrisBoy]

it's a really nice capture and you dont need to make excuses for it!
personally I feel there is no difference between taking pics of "feeder" vs. "nonfeeder" birds as long as you get the picture you wanted. yes i agree that pics in the field are more fun and more challenging but the final image you end up is all that matters.. IMHO. Anyway, I do like your pic and i hope to see more!!
BTW, i spent more than an hour waiting for the dove and i had to fight off my "kids" from trying to get me to go buy them lunch.... now that's demanding / extreme shooting conditions! ;)


troy
Thanx Troy, I see what you mean. Just that sometimes I find having to chase some birds thru the bush totally exasperating, especially when I get no (good) shots.

[Gary Fairhead]

Stay close to these guys and the Hawk will come to you.....maybe;) Think of all the excersise you are getting and your in the outdoors ......what could be better? I like the shot BTW.

[ChrisBoy]

Thank you Gary, you are right, combing bush is nice even if one does not bring home "the bacon".
Well, had to do manual focusing on the dove, my Rebel AF kept boinking back and forth between the branches obstructing the view of the dove and the bird itself. Later on I understood why the doves were so nervous and flighty that day .....they knew a Cooper was in the area.

I saw Coopers take a dove on the ground. However, I do not think the raptor has enough of body mass/strength to pick a dove in flight. Obviously, Gosshawk and Peregrines can do it, I am not sure about Merlin though.

[Mitcon]

I enjoy the bush/scrub walking and trying to get as close as I can as much as getting the shot itself sometimes. But with the right techniques, knowing your quarry and practice you don't have to run about much, though theres always a good deal of exersize to be had still lol, that bit is hard to avoid.

I think it's worth the effort though to enjoy birds and all animals in their natural environs, I often find captive animals depressing. A nice shot of the Dove though, keep at it with shooting in the bush. When you do get the great shots it's just so much more rewarding.