Have They Gone Yet?

The poor Mourning Doves are still getting battered and bullied by the summer influx of White-winged Doves. Thankfully they are not here for too long and soon these gentle, sweet birds will have the area back to themselves again.

Often Overlooked

The gentle Mourning Dove's soothing call seems to be a constant at present and really is there a sweeter sound? I so enjoy having these lovely souls around and at least at this time of year they are not yet being harassed by the migratory White-winged Doves.

New Kids on the Block

They are sold as Quail Blocks but I sometimes wonder why the quail don't register a complaint under the Trades Description Act. The Mourning Doves enjoy eating it


And it is unusual not to see the Antelope Squirrels grabbing a snack from it


The Thrasher chisels away at it with that fearsome beak


And the Round-tailed Ground Squirrel just can't get enough of it.


And the new kids on the block? Well that would be the Rabbits who have recently discovered this yummy delicacy!



Just occasionally the poor old Quails get to dine at the Quail Block, or should that be the Dove, Squirrel, Thrasher, Ground Squirrel, Rabbit, Quail Block?! What a good job the Quail are prepared to share.


Nature Notes hosted by Michelle at Rambling Woods.

A Notice to the Wildlife

If you wear your skeleton on the outside and see the world through a matrix,


If your babies live and breath in water and you need external temperatures to warm your body,


If your scales have evolved into beautiful feathers and you have mastered the skies,


If your gender can be influenced by the temperature your eggs are incubated at and you have the ability to grow some of your extremities back,


If you carry your young inside your own body and then when they finally emerge you feed them rich, nourishing milk that you produce,


You are all welcome into my yard!* I am honored to share this space with you and I will do my utmost not to interfere in your existence. Please forgive me if I am a nosy neighbour because I love watching you all going about your day to day lives and photographing you.

*The only exception is humans!!!

Was it something I Said?

This is one of those classic moments when you have to wonder what is being said!

Summer Bounty

If I had had a little time I would have been harvesting the Prickly Pear fruit but sadly it was not to be. However I can take consolation in knowing that the fruit will not go to waste as there are many appreciative animals around to reap this plentiful harvest.

Maternity

The White-winged Dove may be a menace at the bird feeder but this one just looked so beautiful perched on her nest in the Palo Verde tree.

Just Arrived

Our first White-winged Dove of the year.

Pretty in Pink

So often overlooked but there is something quite perfect about the humble Mourning Dove.

Wakey wakey!

Sleepy head.

Birds on the wire

Always the same when you take a group shot - someone looks the wrong way!