A study in doves for those who like birds

[Maestro]

Cross-posted in Lounge

I spent three weeks of June mostly on the road visiting family and different wildlife areas. One of my favorite places to shoot is down in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. I have a ton of new shots that I am trying to process before getting back to work, but I will start with some doves. There are quite a few different varieties that occur in the USA with the mourning dove being the most common.



Here are some others that all take up residence in the Valley of Texas.

White Winged Dove (actually extends out through the west and a bit to the east in the winter months)


Getting a drink


The Ground Doves were in abundance.




As were the Inca Doves in large numbers.






Even the White Tipped Dove made a few appearances. These are large doves that are only found in the LRGV of Texas.




Doves actually are quite photogenic when you can catch them away from city parks or yards overwhelming other birds and people.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

1. OMG I'm in love!....these are SPECTACULAR!

thank you so much

[Maestro]

4. Thanks ElsewheresDaughter

I am glad you liked them.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. You're so good, I don't even know what to say.

[Maestro]

5. You're too kind

and thanks.

[trusty elf]

3. Beautiful!

Reminds me of my guilty past in Texas.

My dad, a career military guy, was an avid hunter, and he wanted his sons to become hunters as well. He got me a 12 gauge shotgun when I was about 13 or 14! For a few years I enjoyed hunting doves and geese, but soon became sickened by killing animals for fun. I think my old dad was really disappointed when I told him I couldn't do it any more.

[Maestro]

6. My mom's family are/were big hunters

I remember going dove hunting as a kid too. Only went once. It really didn't appeal to me either.

[Eurobabe]

7. I love the one of the bird drinking

I'll have to try to catch a shot or two of the tiny little doves here on Turks and Caicos, I am not even sure what kind they are but they are very small (and kind of dense, they walk slowly and almost don't move when you pass them in a car!)

[Maestro]

9. Please do.

And post the pics if you can.

[NashVegas]

8. self-delete

not so much