A Woman's Work.
Labman inspired me to write this after reading his posts about his yellow shafted flicker! Thank you Labman.
A few weeks back, during my Spring clean up- I realized that I had a dove take up residency in my side yard. She made her nest on an old wooden ladder that I placed there last Fall (country yard decor, right?) So I started watching her and within 2 days she had 2 eggs in the nest. At that time there was almost no cover for her, a bare tree branch and a wisteria vine that draped over the ladder. Through spring breezes and many rain storms she cared for her babies as the leaves slowly began to appear on the branches. Then one day, the nest was empty! Nice, she got the little ones raised and out of the nest so she must be off celebrating! Whoo Hoo!
NOPE, I soon realized that she had moved them out of the nest, around the corner of the house and under the shrubs. They are very close to being the same size as herself but she is still feeding them, AND she now has 2 more eggs in the nest. Is a girls work never done?
Needless to say, my side yard may not get the attention it needs this Spring because I am enjoying my tenants and will not disturb them. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Her little "bird condo" has now filled in nicely with lots of leaves so she has plenty of cover. I will continue watching to see how many "batches of babies" she will raise before she gets a break!
Hope you enjoyed, Take time to experience nature.
Deb
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Thanks for sharing a very caring story; Iwonder how many men would have followed your example.
Thank you Mr Devonish for commenting. I believe we can learn a lot from nature and what a beautiful art form it is, it gives me inspiration. Such a devoted mother this little bird is.
I share your sentiments; a few days ago I almost cried; I had to get rid of that beautiful black, red and yellow large worm that ate all the leaves from our Frangipani trees and were ready to move to another tree. Its funny they turn ints a dull looking moth
Yes works of art Jul lethal to the plant you can actually hear them consuming the leaves and they grow to a finger size
Beautiful! No Deb, a woman's job never gets finished. If you are a mother, it's job for life :) I enjoyed reading this.
Chuka
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Hi Deb
I decided to give you a follow, because of this blog.
A great story, nice to watch nature take it's course without getting involved and upset the status quo, good on you.
All the best
Gary
Thank you Gary,
I love nature. This year another dove took up residency in the nest. She laid 2 eggs but then one day did not return to the nest, I am guessing that a cat may have got her. I will sadly remove the unhatched eggs allowing for the next new mother to move in. I will now plant the tree there (which is still in a pot since I didn't want to disturb the other dove) and the new tenant will have an evergreen tree as shelter.