Swimming in the air

I love Woodpigeons, or, as some people would say, I love Wood Pigeons. Their faces are so characterful.

Woodpigeon - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The white patch on the neck is so visible from very far away, I wondered why it was there. Then I heard about model Woodpigeons which nod and attract others so they can be shot. Perhaps the white on the neck is to give other Woodpigeons a signal that there’s food.

Woodpigeon - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I wonder why they would do that? Perhaps there’s safety in numbers. This one’s giving me an inscrutable look. It’s definitely not saying.

Woodpigeon - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The scientific name of the Woodpigeon is Columba palumbus. Columba is originally from the Ancient Greek for “dive, plunge headlong or swim”. It’s because of their habit of swooping flight where they dive down very fast and then swoop up again.

Woodpigeon - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I’ve taken enough portraits of them now. I need to get some flight shots of Woodpigeons next, to show them swimming in the air.

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