Bothersome!

   While mourning doves are known to make the most slipshod nest of all birds, they still seem to manage pretty well.  How the mother bird keeps her eggs in the nest is beyond me.  If you ever see a nest that is nothing more than a few twigs haphazardly crisscrossed between branches, you will know you have found a dove's nest.  Then, to think she will only lay two eggs to a clutch, it makes you wonder how these are some of the most common of birds nationwide.  Oh, and we must not forget that they are a popular game bird for hunters.  It is amazing that there are so many of the birds still around.

  The yard is home to perhaps two dozen doves.  They nest wherever there is a vacant space such as the grape arbor, hanging plants or any available tree.  One pair has even nested under the jasmine vines.  (I do fret over her nest as there is a feral cat on the loose and it is not beyond raiding the nests.)  Since I have been feeding the birds, the doves have become especially tame.  I have literally come close to stepping on them since they are ground feeders.  

  This tameness, while heartwarming to me, could be the birds' undoing.  Not everything has their best interest in mind.  The young hawk has been on the fly lately so the feeding will most likely have to come to a halt again unless I can find a more secure method.  It is bothersome to know that I am just fattening the doves for the dining pleasure of the hawk.

The "Bird Hotel" Has No Vacancies!

  The arbor around the french doors has a canvas awning cover.  I hang a few potted ferns on either side of the front steps and then always have large plants on stands under the ferns.  Last year, a tiny wren loved the fern so much that she made her nest there twice.  She survived a tropical storm without ever leaving her nest.  I had tied the fern from all sides to keep it from swinging too much so she was safe and sound.  Since then, she has returned to the nest and her broods come to roost on the beams and some nestle down in the fern with her.  The sweet little family is welcome to stay as long as they like, however, this spring, they may have company.

  On the opposite side (about six feet from the fern nest), a pair of doves have taken a liking to the other fern.  Another nest is in the process of being made.  Doves, like wrens, seek out places that are near humans that they trust.  It makes me feel good to know that my critter friends feel safe around me.  I am in hopes that both birds will nest near the door and be at ease with each other.  Both wrens and doves are not overly territorial so it should all work out fine.

  The pair of doves come to the plant stand that now serves as a feeder.  I had taken down the other feeders when the hawk was visiting (but not for sunflower seeds).  Several birds were snatched before I realized what was happening.  The plant stand was beneath the broad leaves of an avocado tree which provided a blind for the songbirds.  Since our hard freeze, the leaves are slowly dropping.  The feeder protection is almost naught now and I noticed the hawk has returned.  Son and I were pondering how to devise another shelter for the birds.  Hopefully, tomorrow will find us with some suitable deterrent.  While I love the hawk, it needs to leave my sweet songbirds and search for a nice fat rat!

"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.

Hanging with the buddies

   Since most of my time is spent in the Small Gardens these days, I depend on the company of my critter friends as entertainment.  Work goes a lot faster and easier when you have friends about the place.  Of course, I do lure them in with a bit of birdseed under the plant benches but that is a Southern custom.  You ply your guests with food.  This morning was spent with the chickadees and titmice.  I could not have asked for better company...until...the party crashers came.  To be honest, the crashers were just as welcome as the guests.

  A pair if mourning doves decided that the birdseed was to their liking.  I heard them fly in by the whir of their wings.  Dove wings "sing" as they fly.  Normally, this is done when they are alarmed but sometimes it is just to announce their arrival.  This pair usually nest on the grape arbor since the rose arbors had to come down.  (I miss my rose arbors and will most likely start work on rebuilding a few...for my pleasure and that of the doves!)  The arrival of the doves was a new source of entertainment as they were most insistent on photobombing each and every picture I tried to take of the smaller birds.  It was as if they were curious of why I was pointing the camera at their friends and not them.  So...I complied with their wishes and started photographing the sweet pair.  

  Folks, take the time to enjoy what is around you.  Breathe in the fresh air, make friends with the "locals" and just generally be happy.  Life is good.

The Loving Couple

  For any of you going through life's trials, sometimes it pays to take a look outside.  As Pop used to say, "People could learn a lot from nature if they would only take the time to really study what is going on around them."  Pop was a smart man.  Nature does give life lessons for free on a daily basis.  All that is required is that you show up for class and pay attention.  You won't be tested, you won't be graded and you will not get a "degree" but I guarantee that you will learn a lot.  Personally, I find that a solution of how to handle most "problems" can be handed to me simply by taking a stroll around the hillside.  That "Bayou Magic" always has an answer.

  This morning's sunrise was completely blocked by fog once again.  While most folks fuss about the weather, I find fog to be to my liking.  Of course, if I had to drive in it, my attitude would surely change to where I do NOT like it.  But, I don't so I do...nuff said.  The morning meanderings took me through woods to the swamp.  Even though, I could hear my bird friends, nary a one could be seen through the drippiness of the fog.  It took me to come back between the grape arbor and the greenhouse before any critters consented to be seen.  A pair of mourning doves sat in the black gum tree.  Both were huddled against the pea-soup thick fog.  The male watched my every move while she preened.  He was guarding his ladylove as she flicked droplets of water from her feathers. Their closeness warmed the heart and blocked out the chill that was starting to envelop me.  This is how each loving couple should be.  The male bird is protective of his ladylove and she is steadfast in her devotion to him.  

  Most mourning doves mate for life.  They both make the (weak and wobbly) nest, both brood the eggs and both feed the hatchlings.  The chicks are called squabs and are fed "pigeon's milk" or "crop milk".  Both parents are capable of producing this as it is created in the crop from the digested food of the parents. Even though it is called "milk", it more resembles yellowish cottage cheese. Mourning doves are the epitome of how a family should be.  They start as a loving couple, raise their broods and remain a loving couple!  Folks, if there is any question, this is how it should be!