The Emerald One

I love the early morning walks when there are few people around as it always gives me opportunities to observe animals going about their daily business. This morning I had the company of a male Emerald Dove as it walked down the path searching for breakfast.The Emerald Dove is a pigeon but unlike it cousins it spends most of its time on the ground in the forest or mangrove where they search for fallen fruits. Not many people notice these birds as they are usually solitary and are very quiet as they move around the undergrowth or as they walk along the paths in the nature reserves.
To see these birds, one needs to be very quiet and walk very slowly as the slightest sound or movement will send the bird into flight.
I have encountered this species a number of times and still get a thrill when I have the close encounters. Each is special as it depends on what the bird will allow you to do. This individual was confident enough to let me approach and watch him as he walked about looking for fruits.