Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto

"When I was a lad..." Collared doves were a rare sight, not so these days. The first time I saw them in significant numbers was when I moved to Cardington in 1998 and now there are dozens of pairs here. Despite their numbers I have never had much success in photographing them, getting the exposure right has always proved a bit of a challenge. This youngster does have a collar but he seemed to be trying to shrink down on the perch in the hope that I wouldn't notice him and disturb his nap!