Camera Critters: Mourning Dove

The mourning dove is a common species here in southcentral Pennsylvania, but I seldom get close enough for a good portrait of the species, as they are quite shy.  With that in mind, I erected a pop-up blind close to the bird feeding station and eventually one landed and posed long enough for me to capture two shots.

Mourning Dove

Dove Spots Me In Blind

Neither photograph is quite what I wanted, as I find the weed stem across the bottom of the tail in the first photo to be distracting.  I removed it with photoshop in the second, but I am not completely satisfied with how it turned out.  I will remove the offending object before I set up again to photograph in this spot.

Both photos taken with Canon 7D and 300mm F2.8 with 1.4 extender.

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Originally posted at Pennsylvania Wildlife Photographer by Willard Hill

Camera Critters: Red-bellied Woodpecker, White-throated Sparrow

Today we feature more birds from the natural bird feeders. There is a very limited variety of species that utilize them, but those that do are there in plenty.

All of the photos were taken with the Canon 7D and the 500mmF4 L.

Red-bellied Woodpecker-Early Morning ISO 640

The next two photos were taken as the rays of the late evening sun bathed the feeding area in a warm glow. Taken at ISO 200.

White-throated Sparrow


White-throated Sparrow-a different view

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Camera Critters: Bird Encounters

While I love looking at bird photographs, I often get too preoccupied with filming and photographing the big game species such as deer, elk, and turkeys. Yes, in Pennsylvania a turkey is classified as a big game species according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

I have taken so many turkey photographs this spring that it was time for a break. Thursday evening was mild with beautiful sunlight, so I set the 500mmF4 with 1.4 extender on the tripod overlooking my bird feeding area. I was soon rewarded with numerous photographic opportunities.

A Rose-breasted Grosbeak was somewhat shy, but eventfully moved within range. I would have liked the bird to be closer as I had to crop the image severely to get a tight composition.


I see doves quite frequently, but they are usually too far away or conditions are otherwise unsuitable for good photography, but this changed this evening, when several arrived at the feeding station and co-operated by posing quite nicely.


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