Artist’s Statement: I have always been fascinated by how little regard we humans have for the animals that are best adapted to live in our environment: rats, coyotes, cockroaches, and, of course, pigeons. I find it fascinating that the wild creatures who commonly live among us are subject to our scorn, while if they were rare or distant, we might find them fascinating or even beautiful. The fact that they are commonplace doesn’t prevent them being both fascinating and beautiful, particularly pigeons.

Pigeons, with their wonderful variety of patterns and colors — white and gray, brown, black and green — their whirling, tumbling flight and bobbing inquisitive heads have been a source of fascination for me since I was a child. Pigeons are clownish and graceful, childlike and humble.  Whenever I travel, especially to larger cities, I seek them out.

I usually don't have to look far.  The public places where people congregate: parks, museums, public squares, and streets are the natural habitat of this urban bird, and they are nearly fearless.

For the past 15 years, I have been chasing them when I find them, photographing them in the human landscape that is their home as well as ours.

Doug Van Gundy