A Dove family built a nest in an empty planter on my parent's back porch. The planter was right by the kitchen window, so my parents were lucky enough to watch the cycle of a Dove's early life -- from hatching to flying the coop.
Below is the story, told through pictures and images from my dad. I think he captured it perfectly.
April 25th:
Picture of our new tenant (morning dove) on the back porch.
Nest is in a planter Mom left out over the winter.
Updates to come. Love, Dad
April 27th:
Mr. Dove takes a stand between bird feeder and Mr. Squirrel. Mr. Squirrel had to take a different path to the feeder.
Mr. Dove keeps watch over the Misses, still in her windowsill nest. Love, Dad.
May 2nd:
Mom and babies doing fine.
Need names. Love, Dad
May 4th:
The Family -- Day 4.
May 6th
Baby Doves -- Day 6.
May 10th:
Today (Monday) one of the baby Dove's flew the coop.
Email #2 from Mom:
The best part is that Dad and I got to watch the mother Dove coo to encourage her babies to fly. We watched the one take off and land safely in a tree (phew!). We grabbed Jozie and went inside so the mother could come back to the baby still in the nest. We all know what it's like to take a risk and try something so hard and scary.....(you need your Mommy!). I'm sure all will be fine, in the end.
Love,
Mom
Email #3 from Dad (Still May 10th):
One baby bird left in the nest at 7:00 pm, Monday evening.
Love, Dad
May 4th:
The Family -- Day 4.
May 6th
Baby Doves -- Day 6.
May 10th:
Today (Monday) one of the baby Dove's flew the coop.
The mother Dove sat on the garage, calling for the babies to fly.
One baby flew out of the nest and landed in a tree in the backyard. She did great!
The other baby decided not to try flying, yet. So, the mother came back to the nest to sit with the baby, probably for one more day.
We'll see what happens tomorrow.
Love,
DadEmail #2 from Mom:
The best part is that Dad and I got to watch the mother Dove coo to encourage her babies to fly. We watched the one take off and land safely in a tree (phew!). We grabbed Jozie and went inside so the mother could come back to the baby still in the nest. We all know what it's like to take a risk and try something so hard and scary.....(you need your Mommy!). I'm sure all will be fine, in the end.
Love,
Mom
Email #3 from Dad (Still May 10th):
One baby bird left in the nest at 7:00 pm, Monday evening.
The Mom came back and told the baby to jump. The baby jumped out of the nest and onto the porch. Only the Mom was left in the nest.
The mother Dove watched the baby Dove walking on the porch and coaxed it to fly away.
The baby watched the Mother bird fly to the nearest tree, and minute later the baby took flight.
We watched the Mother and baby sit on a branch for a few minutes, then they both flew away, together.
Now we have an empty nest, but nice memories, left on the windowsill.
The End.
