Pretty Pigeons

Pretty Pigeons



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I walked around my Brooklyn neighborhood today, scouting for handsome pigeons. I am partial to the piebald ones that have patches of iridescence. Although pigeons rarely seem to stay still for long (at least when I am trying to photograph them), some paused long enough for these portraits. Click to enlarge.

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Two-toned bill!

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And a poem – Pigeons by Richard Kell

They paddle with staccato feet

In powder-pools of sunlight, Small blue busybodies Strutting like fat gentlemen With hands clasped Under their swallowtail coats;

And, as they stump about, Their heads like tiny hammers Tap at imaginary nails In non-existent walls.

Elusive ghosts of sunshine Slither down the green gloss Of their necks in an instant, and are gone.

Summer hangs drugged from sky to earth In limpid fathoms of silence: Only warm dark dimples of sound Slide like slow bubbles From the contented throats.

Raise a casual hand – With one quick gust They fountain into air.

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A puffed up pigeon on my porch celebrated the relatively warm day…

sleeppigeon
With a nap.

Julie Feinstein

Julie Feinstein

I am a Collection Manager at the American Museum of Natural History, an author, and a photographer. I live in New York City. I recently published my first popular science book, Field Guide to Urban Wildlife, an illustrated collection of natural history essays about common animals. I update my blog, Urban Wildlife Guide, every Sunday.

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Julie Feinstein

Julie Feinstein

I am a Collection Manager at the American Museum of Natural History, an author, and a photographer. I live in New York City. I recently published my first popular science book, Field Guide to Urban Wildlife, an illustrated collection of natural history essays about common animals. I update my blog, Urban Wildlife Guide, every Sunday.

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