When I was a kid, one of my favorite sounds was the call of the Mourning Dove. I didn’t have any idea what kind of bird made that sound and I probably didn’t care; I just loved the sound. It’s a haunting, beautiful, mournful sound. I was drawn to it for the same reason that I like music in a minor key. It touches my heart.
When Don and I lived in San Diego, we made a bird feeder out of a wooden tray placed on an old iron sewing machine base. It sat in the center of our backyard and hundreds of Mourning Doves would stop by each day to chow down. I could look out at that bird feeder from my office and see 20 or 30 mourning doves standing on the tray, sharing a communal meal.
Since we’ve moved East, mourning doves haven’t been on the property. Until this year. A pair of doves has taken up residence and I see them quite often. And I hear their beautiful call.
The other day, I spotted one of them in the birdbath! That’s a first.
Good morning Claudia, I know what you mean about the sound of the doves.. It is a “mourning” sound. They are interesting birds in the way that they walk around slowly and make a funny little noise when they fly away.. Your picture of the dove is beautiful.. I wonder where it’s mate is.
Those cat birds have their own funny personalities also.
Enjoy your weekend..
Charlotte
I love the sound too, so lovely just like you my sister.
Mere
Having birdbaths on varying levels seems to attract different types of birds. Doves seem to like being closer to the ground. Your blooms are lovly or this time of year.
Claudia, I’ll bet you anything that there’s another sweet dove close by! They are almost always in pairs – mate for life I believe – and yes, I’m with you on their call, it’s a very lovely, almost comforting, sound to have in the garden.
We’ve stopped feeding the birds for a while (they can usually find enough food in Summer) because both they, and the pesky squirrels who were addicted to our birdseed offerings, were hopping from the feeder to the birdbath………………and right into my lovely fig tree! Needless to say, in it’s fourth year and quite tall now, the figs are really looking good but I just know they will be eaten by both birds and squirrels so I must distract them somehow. I so want enough of my own harvest to make figgy jam!
Your garden is looking lovely – did you and Don haul those nice boulders in or were they already there?
Enjoy the weekend – Mary X
I’m so used to their being around, they haven’t even been photographed..We kind of think of them as country pigeons…almost!!
I, too, like the sound of mourning doves. They tend to rest on the ground in my yard. You’ve reminded my to refill the birdbath.
I hope your day goes well, Claudia.
-Karen
Great sequence of images Claudia. You’re admiring mourning doves and I’m cussing wood pigeons … there are two sitting on the fence driving the dogs crazy. Trouble is the birds know they’re out of reach so have no intention of flying away!
I’m so glad to see them too! Even if it’s at someone else’s house. Because I can’t get outside right now. Mourning doves have always been a fav of mine. Their regal bearing. They are so beautiful. Great shots, Claudia!
Brenda
They are such wonderful birds. Not beautiful in colors but just something kind of peaceful about them.
I live in north east Texas and our neighborhood is full of these sweet birds. They always seem so peaceful to me and I love their cooing sound. I am glad you have a chance to enjoy their company.
Love your birdpath. How pretty. Know wonder they like to dip in and cool off.
Thank you for sharing.
The year my parents passed away, two mourning doves took up residence in the tree in the front of their yard. We had never had them there before but I thought it sort of telling for what we were going through. Sort of sad story but true. I didn’t mind them though as they were beautiful.
Claudia, There is something about a mourning doves song. I like it. I have noticed our robins are singing , like they do when it’s first of Spring.It seems strange to hear it here in summer. Take care and enjoy your Sunday.xo, Susie
I am so cheered that you snapped a dove bathing. Your images are lovely. We have many doves here daily but the minute I step onto the deck they fly away and I cannot get a picture of them in the birdbath.
Wow I’m reading all the comments and find we’re not alone in loving the sound of mourning doves. I’m the only one in my family that likes the sound. Everyone else says they sound sad or depressing. I find the sound soothing and we have them in our yard almost every day. J
I’ve always loved mourning doves, too, Claudia. I love there mournful call.
What a beautiful blessing to have a dove in your yard. They bring such joy!
xx