Can you bear one more entry in the Dove Chronicles?
Last week, when I posted that the two squabs were able to fly and had left the nest, I was thinking (and really, really hoping) that the dove nursery was closed for the season.
Last week, I was about to prune the hanging plant on the other side of our porch. I reached up to hold a dead flower while I snipped it with the clippers. Imagine my surprise…..when a dove flew out of THAT plant and attacked me! It kept swooping down toward me and making very threatening sounds. I was backing away, holding my hands over my head to protect it, and all I could see were flapping dove wings.
Obviously I don’t have pictures of that. And I thought doves were supposed to be birds of peace. It wasn’t very peaceful on the porch at that moment.
I avoided that plant for several days, but could see a dove had taken up residence there. A couple days ago, I couldn’t see any wings or tailfeathers (and the plant really needed water). So I carefully tapped on the bottom of the pot. Nothing. No sound. No fluttering wings. No attack.
I took the plant off the hook, and there sat a dove. Since I wasn’t being attacked this time, I was determined to get a picture. So I placed the hanging basket back on the hook and went inside for my camera. When I returned, I stood on a nearby chair, and saw that the dove had moved to the rim of the basket.
Apparently, it was Papa Dove that was on the nest the morning I was attacked. Mama Dove wasn’t about to get flustered.
I held my camera up over my head and took this next picture.
So what can I do? I can’t evict an expectant mother.
In my research, I learned that doves can have six broods per season.
At least, it’s nearing the end of summer. Those hanging plants can’t last but so much longer anyway. The dove nursery, on the other hand, shows no sign of closing up shop.
these days of mine 
Well, if doves come to their original home to roost….you’re going to have a population explosion of doves for the foreseeable future.
Males do tend to get a little aggressive, don’t they? LOL!
What adventure at “These Days of Mine”: dove attacks, standing on chairs! Bless your heart and those precious eggs. Thank you for sharing.
Aww, I love the last pic of mama dove. She looks like she’s ready to protect her nest. What a cute little family!
I love that last picture! I’ve never heard of a dove attack, but I guess when they feel threatened…
My sister-in-law had a robin build a nest on a precarious windowsill right outside their main door. After it was done and she didn’t see the robin for a day or so, she decided to move the nest to a safer place. Later that day, she happened to see the robin come back to the windowsill and sit for a few minutes and she felt bad about moving the nest. When the robin flew off there was an egg sitting there! She had come back to lay an egg and her nest was gone. Poor thing. The windowsill is slanted and my s-i-l was afraid the egg would roll off and she felt bad about moving the nest (she’s got four young grandchildren and she just didn’t think that was the best spot for a nest!). She ran and got the nest and put the egg in it and set it back on the windowsill, never imagining the robin would come back. She did, and laid three more eggs. The little family hatched right there on the windowsill and all turned out well!
Oh my gosh, I’m laughing…not at you, but this whole thing is funny.
Your “Dove Chronicles” and “supposed to be birds of peace” wording, plus your tone and then the shot of two more eggs on the “nest” has me really chuckling this morning. I had no idea that doves were such baby making machines! What does Motor Man think about all this?
The world is grateful for your work on behalf of the dove population!
Like I said before: they know a good spot to raise some kids! But they also know a “threat”, too !
Now those are some busy Doves!
wow! no wonder their is dove hunting season all over! 6 broods a year? we’d be over-run if they weren’t hunted!
I’ve been enjoying your “Dove Chronicles” the stories and pictures are wonderful and uplifting in their own way. The best we get to see here are birds bathing/drinking water from our make shift bird bath (potted plant plate we fill w/clean water 2x a day when we give the dogs fresh water and food). Thanks so much for sharing these and so glad you weren’t harmed in the attack.
And — I bet she comes back next ye ar! I have swallows who take a nest away from another bird every year; I hate it because they are sooo nasty! and they have mites! The dove knows a pretty neighborhood when she sees it 🙂
I can’t think of a prettier decoration for your porch. 🙂 Great pictures, Dianna.
Gee, I had no idea doves had so many “batches” (!) of babies in a given season. They certainly picked a nice, soft, out of the way spot to have their nest – meanwhile your hanging plants seem to be hanging in there (so to speak)……The photos are beautiful though!
Pam
I love that last photo with the eggs. Very sweet.
i just can’t get enough!! this has been sooooo fun!!!!
eek…scare me to death, that would! Not sure I could be as welcoming to the rest of the brood after being ‘attacked’! But that last shot is pretty cool, and it looks like the maternity ward is still open for business!
That must have been scary being attacked by a dove. They must all like your porch though. Love your last picture.
Hi, the thing in the first and 2nd last picture you asked about is an island called Ailsa Craig.
Think of the squabs you have helped get a good start this year – and are still helping! Will they come back to the same place again next year?
So pretty and how sweet of you to let her be after you were attacked! I love birds and would choose to have them around over a healthy plant any day of the week. Not to mention that I have no sort of green thumb to speak of! 🙂
What a discovery! Glad you were able to get pics and share. 6 broods a season. How exhausting!
Face it Dianna, you have become the Dove home for expecting Doves
What exquisite pictures. And, as always, your words are beautifully chosen!