I recently wrote about the mockingbird nest in one of the trees in our front yard. The fact is, while we don’t have that many trees, and they’re not that big, those we do have are apparently quite attractive to the local birds. Besides the aforementioned mockingbirds, we have a western king bird nest in our live oak, and then there’s this:
Can you make out that mass of junk in the middle of the palm tree (and we’re using the word “tree” quite loosely here; it’s more of a palm bush or palm shrub). It’s a dove’s nest, perched precariously a full three feet above the ground.
We discovered it last weekend, and noticed it only when the nesting dove exploded from the tree as we walked by. Closer inspection revealed this (it’s been a while…forever, in fact, since I’ve been able to photograph down into a nest without a ladder):
The mother is quite skittish, and with good reason. She didn’t exactly pick an obscure spot for the young ‘uns. But I was able to point a telephoto lens around the corner and catch her hard at work:
As soon as she spotted me, she burst from the nest and took up residence on the neighbor’s roof, keeping an eye on me:
Dove as a species don’t strike me as very intelligent; they’re the avian counterpart to sheep. However, this choice of location for a nest isn’t as dumb as it might seem. Sure, it’s close to the ground, but it’s also protected by a seven foot wall and locked gates. There’s danger from weather, but that’s a given regardless of location, but, otherwise, unless another marauding bird makes an appearance, this may be a good place to raise a family. We’d like to think of our neighborhood in those terms, anyway.
I thought doves usually nested on the ground. We find them in fields around here. However, Karen does have one nesting on her porch in a wreath!
That’s why I made the comment about how dumb doves seem to be, because they’ll build nests in the oddest places. It’s amazing that the species manages to survive!
Eric,your avian story an phots are intriguing and entertaining, however I have really been taken back by your beautiful stone wall.
Fenced yards have come a long way since Cinder Blocks were made by the old Featherlite Company back in the Stone Age.
John, believe it or not, that IS a cinder block wall. It’s called a stone-faced block and it’s basically just a concrete block cast in a mold that provides one side with a nice texture (the other side is smooth, like the typical concrete block). Throw in some dye and you do end up with a very nice twist on the traditional block wall. More expensive than regular cinder block, but cheaper than brick or Austin stone.