I know the grass in the foreground is a bit distracting but I was afraid my subject would flee if I repositioned myself for a clearer shot. Anyway, it has been so long since I took a decent (nearly in focus) bird photo that I thought I would go ahead and post this one. I think I'm losing my touch. :sad:

Click on the image to see a larger view.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2437963230_0a9ed58b42.jpg (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2437963230_f277a6e2b0_o.jpg)
300mm w/1.4x teleconverter, 1/320 @ f/5.6, ISO 200

That dove is very nicely in focus. Getting a bird shot without a few minor distractions is probably the biggest challenge in bird photography. That little bit of grass isn't all that distracting. Nice shot. Dead on exposure.