I am sitting here in my air-conditioned living room on this soggy, fog-enshrouded Labor Day morning. I’ve just returned home after spending a quiet weekend with friends in NJ and George and I left this morning, like we often do, before anyone was awake. (I like to leave early and get ahead of the traffic. And I always leave a nice note.)
It was not foggy in Jersey this morning, but it sure was in Maryland and Delaware. A storm had come through last night and we watched it from the screened porch. It was beautiful and eventually the hard rain turned into a soft patter. And the lightning continued.
Driving home this morning, I could see how far the rain had spread. My driveway was saturated, but luckily no big branches were down. After I unpacked, I made some coffee and took a cup outside with me. I filled the feeders, brought out my camera and took these photos you see here.
I was trying for hummingbirds but when the Mourning Doves arrived, I adjusted the camera settings and turned my lens to them.
Doves tend to mate for life, and I always see them in pairs. They can live for a long time and I read once that the oldest known Mourning Dove was over 31 years old.
They make a whistling sound when they take off and they didn’t stay on the tree for very long. But I was glad to have them stop by to welcome me home.
I missed being here.
School got off to a good start last week, I believe, and I’m looking forward to the year. But it’s just a little sad to say goodbye to summertime.
Just a little, mind you.
![123 Signature[5]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcB52xzD9lDGqlDxKPjQgYT4eaPdjA3fsmWvXgr2tCkE6zdjDIAUIgtYqho4xKX4tVuw9dCPOk3GaEeV9p7sYRV5C3vTy6gKsCaa0KBK6ZM30yme8IFkmiUFVuGuV1AUD4UZMDulDZwu0/s1600-h/123%252520Signature%25255B5%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg "123 Signature[5]")
The post title was taken from lyrics to John Mayer’s ‘Gravity’ which I listened to at one point while driving home this morning.
To read more about Mourning Doves, visit {here}.
And thank you, as ever, for stopping by. It’s always nice have visitors ~
20 comments:
Hope the school term goes well for you. I'm sure the kids are all sad to see summer go, but eager to be with friends at school.
You can for sure make a dull day look interesting. Love your shots. I'm glad to read that the new school year is off to a good start.
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
It was terribly foggy and very warm this morning when I walked here in western Maine!
So many people dislike Mourning Doves, but I find them really cool. In the early evening they come to my birdbath just outside my living room window. One drinks and bathes while the mate waits on a big rock. Your photos of the doves are gorgeous.
I, too, hate to see summer's end, although it sure doesn't feel like it today!
It's always nice to call on you too.
I love all kinds of birds, but doves, by far, are my very favorite. These are wonderful photos, Kate, and I'm glad you had a good holiday weekend.
Your companionable writing and photos are like spending warm time you a great person: You
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
Lovely photos ! I do like a good thunderstorm and listening to the rain . The kiddies here are back to school tomorrow September 2nd ! We have a school bus pass our house every morning and late afternoon when school is in . Glad you had a nice weekend ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good week !
I love the mourning doves, and I love that song.
Beautiful photos of the doves Kate.
We were at my in-laws cabin for a long weekend in the northern woods of Wisconsin for the holiday. It poured the whole time we were there. I forgot to bring a book so it was a long weekend.
Have a great week.
Mourning Doves are one of my favorites and they always make me smile. It makes me think that God has a sense of humor when he dressed them in elegant "dove grey" tuxedos with bright orange clown shoes.
It rained here too. Nice, slow soaking rain that was sorely needed.
They are one of my favorite birds. We have what seems like a family visit our feeder often and they are perched on the roof of our house most days too...
I simply love Mourning Doves.
we occasionally have visits from mourning doves in our 'backyard' … it was a nice weekend but the humidity sure has made it less pleasant
Your bird photos are always stunning. It amazes me how you catch them in the most perfect way. as hard as I try, I can't seem to catch them at all.
It's hard to believe that it's September and the old routines are new again. Hopefully, we can hold on to summer just a little longer. :)
I'm sad to see the summer months go too. Beautiful pictures as always.
I love John Mayer and I love mourning doves...and you taught me something about them today! xo
my favorite birds….my favorite lovers….thank you for this gift!!!
I'm so excited! I finally found your blog again after much searching after google reader shut down and I lost my file of saved blogs...
I hope you have a splendid new school year! I'm glad to be reading again!
Doves and Whippoorwills remind me of my Grandparents farm. Both have that lonesome cry. Hmmmmm
Hope your school year is a good one. Have a fun year...that's what it's all about.
Oh, aren't the doves beautiful? Their shape, the color of their feathers, their call---all of them so lovely! That they have only 1 mate for life---and that they might live as long as 31 years? Wow!
Of course, my menfolk---from "Pop" to grandson love them best...well...you know!
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