Yard Critter of the Week - Mourning Dove

Mourning Dove.

A bird that forages on the ground. And one that, not surprisingly, blends in quite well. It is right smack-dab in the middle of the image below.

It came a bit closer for this next image. It may not be obvious, but it was snowing when I took these shots. Note the snow on the birds tail.

Perhaps a bit more obvious in this shot.

It was windy as well that day (it's been quite windy for several days of late).

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A very common bird, there are approximately 120 million in North America, 80% which call the United States home. And quite common in our yard. At times we upwards of 30 visiting the yard.

And an under appreciated bird methinks. I find it a rather handsome bird, subtle colors maybe only seen under close observation. I think it suffers because of familiarity. And perhaps because of it's similarities to the Rock Pigeon.

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This post is in appreciation of my friend Greg, who stopped by recently, to bring me some of his latest home brewed mead. Very yummy, both tasty and delicious. When he said he was bringing some over I expected a bottle for the two of us to share.

Nope. This (wine bottle in the middle for scale):

The Mourning Dove is one of, if not, Greg's least favorite birds.

We did not drink any of this when he visited, instead we enjoyed the beer he brought along as well. And we went for a walk in the back woods and sat in the living room and enjoyed all the other yard birds, including seven American Woodcock. And of course, the flying squirrels, a favorite from Greg's childhood.

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You can find the rest of the Yard Critter of the Week posts here.