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Peace by our back door

August 30, 2007


 

Dove Nesting in the wreath by the back door

This is the second time around for doves nesting in the wreath by our back door. I’m sure it’s the same pair who devotedly cared for two eggs, taking turns in shifts as they are now. The chick in the second thumbnail is from the first brood hatched in May. It mysteriously disappeared after two days and the other egg didn’t hatch. There was no trace of that chick anywhere..no body, bones, feathers..nothing. It was not old enough to fend for itself – could the parents have eaten it I wonder? Maybe there was something wrong with it, or the parents were first-timers. The lizards and salamanders around here are too small to eat a meal that size, and other birds would not have been brave enough to come so near to the door I don’t think.  Nature takes care of itself though, so no tears. Hopefully these ones will survive and we can watch them mature.

Dove eggs in May The first chick Dove in the wreath Nesting Mom and new chick

Dove chick growing and becoming more vocal Nest getting crowded You can't see me because I'm staring at the wall. Dove and 6 day old chick

The chick Sept. 7th - about a week old

Sept. 3rd: One of the chicks hatched! There were about six Starlings on the roof overlooking the evestrough, which is not usual for them – at our house anyway- so I’m thinking maybe they are interested in robbing the chick from it’s nest. Maybe they  were the egg-robbers from the first nest.

Sept. 4th: The chick appears to be so much larger today, and it’s the first time I’ve seen it so exposed. It seems so vulnerable on that small flimsy nest.

Sept. 5th: The chick has been left on its own a lot in the past 24 hours, also becoming quite vocal.  The other egg is unlikely to hatch.

Sept.9th: The nest is overcrowded. The chick ruffled its feathers and snapped its tiny beak at me when I took these photos – the instincts are strong – how sweet is that?!

Sept.9th - ruffling feathers and snapping it’s tiny beak at me!

Sept. 11th: When the parent sitting on the chick is up in the air above the nest, it’s time for little chicky to leave! That’s what I thought the day before the chick flew away, and sure enough it was time.   It’s so funny when the parent sits on top of the chick trying to hide it – there is hardly enough room for two in the nest, and she/he is not fooling anybody!

Sept. 12th: Fortunately I walked out just in time to see the chick fly from the ground to the fence nearby. There it remained for about 90 minutes then it was gone. That night I wondered where it would be sleeping, and if it was truly on its’ own now without parents, how it would survive. Less than a month before it was not even in the form of an egg!!

Sept 13th: didn’t expect to see it again, but while sitting outside at dusk, there they were, the mom (or dad) and chick. It was so pleasing to see them sitting on the fence together.

Sept 16th: I still see the little one come into the yard, much bigger now. It is smaller than an adult, and I’m sure that must be the same chick. Full circle!

Chick, first flight  Chick, first flight  Dove Chick and Parent

Categories: animals, birds, garden, photography, Seasonal, series, Smile, summer, Texas | 2 Comments »

2 Responses to “Peace by our back door”

  1. virginia wieringa Says:
    September 6th, 2007 at 11:06

    wow! this is very sweet.

  2. Nikkico Says:
    September 10th, 2007 at 11:06

    Hi Virginia, thanks for saying so – I totally agree – it’s about the sweetest stuff there is! I have no idea if this bird will even make it to flying lessons – am looking forward to those too.

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