The New Neighbors!

Just outside the front door there is an arbor that has a couple of vines growing on it.  Although the Jasmine is doing well, it is the Seven Sisters Rose that has dominated the twelve foot wide structure.  This rose has done so well that I have to severely trim it each year for fear that it will soon take over the entire area and I will not be able to go under the archway and through the gate.  By the end of summer, the long runners will reach down to the ground and completely block off the walkway under the arbor.  On the positive side, if I did let it just grow with wild abandon, I guarantee that no burglars would ever break into the Little Bayou House!  This is one of the thorniest rose bushes that I have ever grown!  It seems as if those long runners reach out and grab hold to you if you are within ten feet of the bush!  Ouch!

Someone else had the same idea about the burglars.  Up on top of the arbor but under those rose canes is a ramshackled nest.  It consists of about a dozen or so twigs sort of haphazardly thrown together and called home.  But..it is home.  It is home to a pair of Mourning Doves.  Mama Dove sits patiently through all of the crazy weather we have had of late.   The rains and high winds of yesterday did not deter her.  Nor did the warmish sunshine and temperatures in the high seventies that we saw today.  I am just as certain that she will stay put through the change that is coming tonight in the form of a cold front that is blasting in upon us.  The north winds are whipping about the house but at least there is no rain.  In a way, these doves were smart...at least for northerly winds.  The arbor (and their nest) sit just about ten feet from the front door on the south side of the house.  The house blocks most of the cold winds.  Hopefully, she will not build another nest here come hurricane season!  Those southerly winds from any tropical system will not do her nest any good.

Mama Dove has no qualms about me or Ms. Ez being right beneath her when we go through the gate to the pier.  I could reach up and touch her if I so desired.  Perhaps she was seeking some sort of protection by building her nest here. Maybe she figured that if she was close to me, she would be out of harm's way.  Last year, she built on top of the grape arbor.  This was not too good as the young vines were sparse and did not provide much coverage for her.  Once her little ones hatched, the hawk swooped in and made quick work of the hatchlings.   Poor Mama and Daddy Dove were distraught to say the least.  I felt so bad for the babies but even worse for the parent birds.  I am in hopes that the rose vines will at least give her and the little ones a bit of security from any marauding predators in the area...and there are many.  During the day, Ms. Ez will stand guard.  She has already noticed the nest and Mama Dove.  Ms. Ez loves her birds so I am positive she will take her place by the gate for the next few weeks.  Come nighttime, though, Mama and Daddy Dove are on their own.  I sure hope for the best.