Wandering around the Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitor’s Center early one March morning, I spotted this female White Winged Dove. She was calling, apparently for males, and as I was manually focusing on her among the Mesquite branches, she suddenly did this. A male soon arrived. The backlighting makes the photo in my view.
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I didn’t do much to this shot, partly because the backlighting highlights the importance of the bird’s white-trimmed coloration in the serious business of attracting a mate. But the soft colors and shadows throughout the frame tempt the editor to punch up the shot and reduce the impact of the morning light on the subject and this fun behavioral capture. I thought the conundrum might make for some interesting exchanges with fellow wildlife shooters.
Pertinent Technical Details
Nikon Z6II, F5.6, 1/1000th, ISO 500, Z100-400MM, monopod.
James: I like the light and the subject as well as the pose of the dove. The FG OOF branches on the right side do spoil this somewhat but at the risk of being a curmudgeon I got out the AI removal tool to make them go away. One reason I do little bird photography is having to contend with busy BG and FG elements. I think you did pretty well and know it’s difficult to get a perfectly clear view.>=))>
Thanks for your attention to the shot Bill. You are right – these kinds of shots with all the branches, leaves, twigs, hot spots, present tough editing challenges. Despite that, I find I enjoy trying to follow and foucus on birds in cover, which is where they live much of the time! Managed to get kind of good at it, for what that’s worth! I’ve edited this one in various ways. Probably succeeds more as a wildlife behavioral image than a great wildlife photo. And as a memory.
James, the pose and the backlighting do make for a dramatic look at this dove. Yes, the oof branch in front is a distraction, but that’s what was there and it does give a sense that she’s doing this in cover, which adds to the behavior.
