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| mourning dove in Winter
Photo by J. Harrington
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This morning, as we were sipping a much-needed cup of coffee, after clearing about 4 to 5 inches of snow from the driveway, augmented at the roadway with the town plow's cast-offs, we looked out the window and saw a mourning dove perched in a tree overlooking an almost empty sunflower seed feeder. (Based on the tracks in the fresh snow, the whitetail deer visited again last night.) After a few moments, s/he landed in the snow to feed n some dropped seeds but was promptly chased away by a red squirrel.
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| competition for the birds and squirrels
Photo by J. Harrington
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We were unaware of any exceptions to the "mourning doves migrate south" status, at least in our next of the woods. Are we seeing another sign of climate disruption, with warmer Winters? Are more doves overwintering in the North Country due to an increase in bird feeders? We were lucky enough that this one stayed around long enough for us to get a decent photo, otherwise, we're not sure we would have shared the story. It might to readily have been filed under the heading of "fake news."
Mourning Doves
byPatricia L. Goodman
The way they step from my deck,
drop,
trust flight will break their fall.
The way they seem content with scraps
that fall from other beaks,
and strut, head bobbing
forward and back.
The way he calls to her,
that plaintive voice
pleading to be noticed,
then watches her blend into the landscape,
greys and browns
safe for nesting.
The way, in autumn, they rise in clouds
from a cooling cornfield,
their wings whistling
as they fly,
their name synonymous
with peace.
From Walking with Scissors (Forthcoming from Kelsay Books).
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