So, Momma has been sitting and sitting and sitting. These Mourning Doves are so devoted. I find it very very touching....And, then, there was evidence of a second egg shell sitting on the floor of my little front-door patio.......You remember I showed you all the first egg in that first post about this little family.
So....I was pretty sure there would be two babies that would be visible when the time came......I have been watching and waiting for those moments when Momma and Papa go off to find food for the little ones...And that time finally came, and it took a few days, but eventually, there was a little one waiting quietly and patiently.....
In point of fact, if you look really hard...(Do click on the picture, and then click again, to see the photograph bigger)...there are two babies there.....The second one is behind the first little guy.....
Then....above, this is the next day. If you look carefully, they are both there, being protected by Momma or Papa---Hard to tell which, and it doesn't really matter---It's the love and devotion that matters. One of them is in the forefront kind of underneath Momma---you can see his eye. And #2 is right beside her over in the back---you can see the top of his head....(Click to make the picture bigger....)....
And above....the next day....Here are the two of them....They are soooo very sweet! Here below, a closer look at these two very darling little Baby Mourning Doves.........
So very dear....I wish these pictures were sharper, but I have to be in a kind of strange position to take the pictures and I am not as steady on my feet as I used to be.....These dear little birds are growing and maturing a little more, each and every day...Before you know it, they will fly away.....But, not just yet!
And here they are---this was yesterday, May 14th....You see the difference just one day makes.....You can see Baby #2's head and his one eye, in the back there. I always feel so very privileged when these dear birds feel safe enough to nest right next to my front door. There isn't a huge amount of traffic coming in and out of my house, but, enough that they might not feel terribly safe....I must admit, I'm thrilled that they do feel so safe here and I hope they always will........More To Come.........
NOTE: Blogger has certainly had it's problems these last three or four days....I pray this publishes and that people can actually comment if they so desire.....
- had this to say:
you chronicle the birth and raising of the babies so well!! I am happy to say I watched a nest years ago in California. When they see you from the nest they "freeze" and seem like they are not even real!!! There are many doves around here but I haven't come across any nests to watch, so I am watching yours instead!
- Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3:03:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh good, a successful lay for the doves. They seem like very good parents I must say :) Thanks for sharing these photos.
- Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 8:24:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Yes, doves are very devoted. Here in my house I had also nest of doves and they are cute. Love the photos and I am looking forward to see the babies.
Have a plesant Sunday!
PS: I had problem with Blogger too. I hope all will be ok ahead.- Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 8:34:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Gah! They are SO cute. Laughed at the "sitting and sitting and sitting" part. Totally reminded me of me. ha
- Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 9:38:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
As always, Naomi, you photos are glorious! I so appreciate your sharing them with us!!!!!!! The dove family has a wonderful photo-historian
- Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 11:14:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Yes I can read it and comment so that's good news. I hope blogger gets back to normal for you soon. I still have loads of comments that have never reappeared. :(
What amazing photos of this loving family! You did well to capture them all so well. The babies look so cute. :D
Doves are just such loyal and gentle birds I always think.
(Thanks for you lovely email to me Naomi, I'll write back soon)- Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3:45:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
They really are cute. I miss mourning doves. They were a steady source of entertainment at another house I had. I do have a sweet Cardinal couple that I call Fred and Sally, but I haven't studied them enough to know where their nest is. I love Cardinals.
- Monday, May 16, 2011 at 12:46:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
Nature does seem to provide lovely entertainment right outside your door, doesn't it. I'm glad you're there to document it.
Cheers.- Monday, May 16, 2011 at 5:12:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh, they are so adorable, and they certainly are growing fast! Won't be long until she'll be an empty nester! Doves are such sweet and pretty birds and I'm so glad that they have this place to nest with some protection!
Thanks for sharing Naomi!! Love and hugs to you dear lady!- Monday, May 16, 2011 at 7:58:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Got tickled at the picture of the two looking at you with slightly irritated expressions. Reminds me of Bluebirds who look absolutely pis--d when photographed face on.
How lucky you are to have such a front row seat. Thanks for letting us have one also.
Hopefully Blogger is Ok now. They returned my post but kept all the comments. Oh well, the price is right.- Monday, May 16, 2011 at 8:36:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
They are wonderful photos and they obviously feel secure with you.
The fourth photo down one of the babies looks like a little baby seal's head peeping out.
I'd love to hear the sounds they make.- Monday, May 16, 2011 at 3:53:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
i saw them, yeah!! i'm such a bird lover but have never had the pleasure of seeing one nesting with their eggs...lucky you.
i wonder what the "symbology" might be for mourning doves having babies on your property..
maybe good luck...- Monday, May 16, 2011 at 4:51:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Yeah, I've been having troubles with Blogger for a few days as well. Hope they got the glitches worked out. Love the pix of the babies. You are patient! We've got gosslings all over the place here. They're cute, but they never leave. We have way too many geese. They either need to start harvesting them for food or put them on birth control.
- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 5:52:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Oh, what a rare gift to be able to watch these little babies hatch and grow at your own doorstep - those photo's are priceless! We have grouse and pheasant in our back yard, I have never seen any doves there, though. I do love watching them strutting about with their young families in tow.
- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:32:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
so very sweet
I love the progression of photos
hugs from Hope
and me too- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 6:35:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
A pair of Mourning Doves started building a nest on the little table on my front porch. They thought they were safe and were hiding behind a hanging plant basket that was sitting on the table, but when I moved the basket, they decided their choice of a place to bring up their babies wasn't so good after all, and went looking for real estate somewhere else. And I'm quite happy to see them gone, I think the traffic in and out of my front door might have been a bit too much for them to bear!
Your babies are very cute, isn't it amazing how fast they grow????- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 8:33:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
They are beautiful.. Just beautiful.. Thanks for sharing the babies with us.. I love watching birds or any animals for that matter.. Hope all is going well..
- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 2:21:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Hi
Beautiful photos, glad I came by.
Since I have been spending more time sitting in my wheelchair I have not been visiting.
Tonight I decided to visit.
I just passed by to say hello.
I hope you are doing well.
Love,
Herrad- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 2:57:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Aw, how cute! We had a nest in a bush in the backyard and I had fun watching the babies.
- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 3:31:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
A dove family has moved into the hills! I love it!! How do get all these wonderful closeups, Naomi? These shots are beautiful, and I hope I get to see those little guys flying about in a video someday. They're adorable!
Hugs and much love, Ily xo
PS - Yay! I was able to get into your blog again!! Blogger HAS been moody...it got rid of my Thursday night post altogether. :(- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 5:44:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
Aww.....wittle birdies....
- Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 2:44:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Birdwatching brings such delight. I have two that have started nests on and near my porch and then seemed to go away. I'm okay with that because when they nest in the rafters their droppings end up all over my porch!
- Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 6:21:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
Blessings to your babies! With the length of the rainy seasons, there should be lots of doves in places that rarely see them.
- Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:27:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I really love this post - you are really observant and caring about wildlife and nature. And of course a brilliant storyteller.
About blogger problems: I think they are in lack of Server capacity and Money. Don't be surprised if they start charging us for futher use. I just ponder how they will treat our intellectual properties, i.e. our blog posts.- Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 11:17:00 AM PDT
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had this to say:
There's nothing quite like a mother's love. Awww, so sweet.
- Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 12:54:00 PM PDT
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