Tweet Feet On My Patio

I have tweet feet on my patio snow drift. Those impressions make me laugh when I see them. They run all over the place, which reminds me of the sand pipers on the beach sand in summer.

The baby mourning dove comes in every day at a certain time to feed. It's ritualistic too, just like human beings can be. He comes in every afternoon between 4:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and stays until  5:30 p.m. He is the only dove out there feeding. I love to watch him walking around pecking at the bird seed. These birds have similar habits to ours. They have personalities. They must depend on each other. The little birds come in to eat, and the bigger birds wait and then fly in, snatching the seed that is being knocked down by the smaller birds on the feeders. They have this system down pat. I would like to think they have learned the art of sharing, but this is not so! We have one big redder breasted mourning dove that is a meanie. He chases the other birds off the patio, and pecks at them, puffs up his chest, and makes sure every one knows HE is head huncho. We can tell he is the dove bird-child of his father, mourning dove, Big Red! He has the same personality as Big Red, but not as big in body type. He is a bully! He struts around, and acts like he owns my patio, and truly there is enough food for all of them. So they are not selfless, sharing, thoughtful birds! They have down "pecking order" to a T.  I have learned so much by watching them day to day.

We have watched their broods hatch, and learned that both parents are highly involved in the hatching of each egg. They are constant tenders of the nest, and protectors too. They each spell each other so the other parent can get a break, and get something to eat, and fly around for a brief interval. They are very protective of their young too. Mama mourning doves are always close by the baby doves for the first year at least. If you see a younger, skinnier bird, you will find a big mourning dove not close behind. That's why I find it so odd that "the baby" as we call him, is out there alone at 5 p.m. feeding alone. It's unusual. We are the parents for this bird when we are home at supper time. We keep a close watch out for the predator red hawk as well. 

We also noticed the rabbits have been on the patio, and something else with soft pads, making a print like a dog, cat, or raccoon. We have seen a mother duck and her 12 baby ducks, a fox, and an absolutely awesome, red tail hawk who has the audacity to sit out in my patio chair, waiting for his prey....my mourning doves! ICK! That is nature at it's finest though.

Take some time to listen, to observe, and be aware of what sits right near your door. Nature has many lessons that life affords. They are for the asking, because they are free.