Geoff's Gallery:   Squatter Pigeon (1/6)

COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae

Geophaps scripta  

I was driving along a forest trail looking for painted button-quail when I saw two birds on the edge of the track.

I stopped the car and slowly approached on foot taking a long distant insurance shot in case the birds flew off.

When I looked at the photo I was delighted to see it was a squatter pigeon which was a new bird for me.

I was standing still wondering how I was going to get closer without spooking the birds when four more appeared and the six birds started to walk towards me.

I froze and kept taking photos as they drew nearer and nearer to me. Eventually they were right at my feet and the camera would not focus they were so close.

I made one small movement and they were off in a flurry of wings leaving one very happy bird photographer pondering on his good fortune and hoping his photos had turned out.