The "Bird Whisperer"!

   It might be my imagination but it appears that the doves are getting tame.  I admit that I feed the birds to keep them around the place since I love to watch them but, my goodness, they are now getting underfoot!  Son was the first to notice when he almost stepped on a dove.  The bird just would not move out of the path!  Son sidestepped around the dove and went on about his business.  We laughed about the incident.  Son has always been one that can easily befriend wild animals so nothing more was thought about it.  Then...today.

  This morning, I was in the yard raking the oak leaves that are raining down upon us from the many live oak trees.  Earlier, birdseed had been put under the garden bench (for the songbirds' protection from the hawk) and dozens of assorted birds were filling their bellies.  Whenever I would get too near their feeding spot, all the birds would fly to the limbs of nearby trees to wait until all was clear again.  Well, all but the doves.  They stayed put.  Sweet!  I am the bird whisperer!

  

  My chores moved me to the veggie plot to do a bit of weeding.  It was there in the midst of the baby carrots that a juvenile dove decided to become even more friendly.  The bird walked (yes, walked) right up to me.  With an outstretched hand, friendship was offered...and accepted.  The dove hopped onto my hand!  What?  There I sat in the midst of the carrots with a dove on my hand!  I dared not move as to not frighten the bird.  We sat.  I marveled.  

  After a few moments, the dove settled down into the soft dirt and watched me pull weeds.  Wow.  Just wow.  I felt so honored.  Hopefully tomorrow, my bird friend will be out again but, also hopefully, the hawk will not.  Take care, Little Friend!