"Pride Goes Before The Fall"

   Early this afternoon as I was gathering an armload of firewood for the woodbin, I noticed that three mourning doves were eating birdseed.  I had strewn extra portions these past few days to help the birds through the wintry weather.  They seemed appreciative of the black oil sunflower seeds and mixed birdseed that Mark picked up at the feed store this morning.  Several times, I heard the doves cooing at each other all-the-while pacing under the flower benches.  The goofy doves are prime targets for the hawk so it made me happy that they were a bit protected.

  Obviously, one of the trio was a female and the other two were males.  One male in particular was "showing off" for the benefit of the female's attention.  His wooing went rather unnoticed as the little female just kept on eating.  The amorous male kept trying to garner her attention but the rival suitor was just as adamant.  Little Miss Female ignored them both.  Soon, instead of trying to attract the female, the males spent their time trying to intimidate each other.  The younger of the two was putting on quite the show of intimidation.  He was literally strutting his stuff!  The older bird was more subtle and more confidant.  He let the young whippersnapper carry on for a bit then, suddenly, he had enough of the shenanigans.  Needless to say the more mature bird won the heart of his ladylove.  The youngster's pride and haughtiness got the best of him.

  It is a bit early for the birds to think of nesting.  It seems to me that the "ice age" we are experiencing this week would be enough to put a stop to this idea but obviously not.  Hopefully, Mama Dove will nest in a sheltered spot.  The cold rain and sleet will not be a happy experience for her.