Brad and Angelina stopped by for the first time about six weeks ago. I had a hunch they were looking for a nice, quiet, safe and private place to prepare for the latest addition to their family. At first I wasn’t sure if I really wanted them setting up house on my baker’s rack. Likewise, I could tell they weren’t too sure about me either. They came and went several times during the next few days. Angelina would settle herself in between the resin lighthouses on the second shelf and sit for a few hours. Brad would pace back and forth on the railing…….he kept a watchful eye on the goings on in my living room ……not too sure if we were to be trusted or not it, seemed.
There certainly was enough noise passing through the screen door to frighten them off for good, but when I saw Brad carrying bits of straw in his beak I began to think that maybe they did plan to take up residence after all. Over the course of that first weekend, six weeks ago, they built a nest on the top shelf of the baker’s rack. It’s a nice shady spot, under cover and partially hidden from outside view by a big pine tree. I thought for sure that the barking of Killer *g* or the crowd noise from hockey games on the TV would scare them off. I left the screen door open so they’d get a taste of what daily life was really like at Casa Sally.
Every once in a while I like to use the balcony to sit out…… to read a book or the paper. When my mother calls, I take the phone out there and park myself in a deck chair. I guess my idea of living dangerously is having the neighbors know all of my business. The prospect of being balcony-less for the gestation and nurturing period of baby birds wasn’t all that appealing and I KNEW that once that nest was out there, I wouldn’t have the heart to go out there and risk disturbing it. I was half tempted to start using the balcony even more……kind of stake it out and let them know it was MY territory and that they were welcome to join me, but they weren’t going to run me off either. Mother nature seemed to take of my little dilemma when they both disappeared and I didn’t see beak nor feather for almost a month. I maintained my usual balcony routine, forgot about staking my claim and went on with my indoor existence.
They came back about two weeks ago. Angelina sits on her nest all day and all night with occasional relief from Brad. It’s funny how things are in nature. Angie sits low in the nest, looks very comfy and happy to be there. She fluffs out her feathers and seems to be very Zen about the whole thing. When Brad takes over, the shift change is obvious. He is the epitome of a nervous father. He sits higher in the nest and he watches the clock on the mantle above the fireplace. It looks like his biggest fear isn’t so much outside intruders, as it is being caught in the middle of a hatching and not knowing what to do……I definitely get a “I’ll sit here as long as you get your tail feathers back here pronto.” vibe from Brad. "No, stopping by your sister's for a worm.....not even an itsy bitsy inch worm."
One would naturally assume that a pair of fine feathered doves like Brad and Angelina must have several homes. That month they were gone…..could have been an extended honeymoon or maybe they were trying on other neighborhoods for size. I guess the fact that they’ve chosen to share the birth of their babies with me, exclusively, makes me feel kind of proud. So far I haven’t noticed any circling vultures but there is a large contingent of pidgeonazzi hanging around on nearby roof tops waiting for their first shot at the newborns. Killer’s job is to take care of any cats, so it's a good thing I’m not expecting any.
In lieu of the use of my balcony for the next couple of months (I’m not going to be here anyway…..but they don’t know that yet), I’ve worked out a little deal with the pair. I can use the new camera I got this week to snap the first shots of the babies. Peeper Magazine has offered me $400.00 for them. Trouble is, if they aren’t born by tomorrow morning, I’m going to be out of luck……..
I wonder if I set out some leftover Taco Bell would Brad bring it to Angie and help move things along a bit. In the meantime, I’d better go figure out a way to introduce the new Nikon to John. It wouldn’t do to have John and the D50 to get off on the wrong foot….’specially since I didn’t buy the Canon point and shoot I had planned to, but got the dSLR instead. So he isn’t exactly expecting it…….and when he sees the size of the case he has to tote around Denmark for me……he’s going to have a bird!
Gosh, maybe if Brad went out and got himself a new Nikon camera on their Visa card, Angie would have a bird, too. Come on , Ange......I'm leaving in the morning!
2 comments:
How interesting! They take about 2 weeks to hatch and another 2 to fledge. Don't you think it would be worth it to postpone your trip for a little while? *g*
What beautiful mourning doves they are. We have two that stay nearby and feed at our feeder (well, actually they eat the fallen seed since they stay on the ground). They make the most beautiful cooing sound when they take flight. I spend hours on my lawn chair with binoculars watching them - and the other birds that come to eat.
Lovely blog.
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