A few weeks back I left this comment on Mark's post on his new tenant:
"Nice pic. For the past several years we've had a mourning dove nest on top of the shade structure over the dog houses. Drives the dogs crazy, but Maggie can't quite jump high enough to reach it, and I keep her dog house far enough to one side that she can't jump on it and then jump up and chomp at the nest. So far this year, no dove. I kind of miss it."
Well, yesterday, I stepped outside to find Maggs whining and pacing about beneath the shade structure. Our tenant has arrived.
Cate doesn't give a rip. If it isn't covered in fur, it isn't worthy of her attention. But a squirrel on the neighbor's roof sends her around the bend.
Actually, Mama Dove has picked a good spot. She has overhead protection from avian predators, and heaven help the possum, coon, or rat snake brave or stupid enough to enter the yard. I do worry about the fledglings flapping out into the yard.
Still, I welcome the company.
2 comments:
Congratulations, Henry. I hope your doves fare better than ours. I really thought that our porch would provide adequate shelter from the weather, but I didn't anticipate the windstorm we had the other night. Lots of broken limbs and downed trees—in fact, many neighborhoods in Lincoln were left without power—and apparently it was enough to weaken the mud base of the old robin nest. I found the nest strewn across the porch on my way to work in the morning. Not a good way to start the day...
Mark, thanks for stopping by. Sorry about the ruined nest. I'd feel the same way.
Isn't it strange how we take these small losses so hard, even though we know that doves, rabbits, squirrels and the other small critters that suffer so much carnage are prolific and short-lived? Somehow, knowing that a single nest is "statistically insignificant" doesn't help. For me, these small wild creatures are a comforting presence, a reminder that things are still working.
I wouldn't be surprised if your dove - or another one - returns and has another go at it.
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