After years of trying I was finally able to capture some good pictures of a mourning dove! She seemed to be posing for me on a tree in Janet’s yard and I was thrilled.
Janet and I had a great time celebrating the summer solstice on Saturday. We went strawberry picking in the morning, then made a lunch out of grilled eggplant with goat cheese and other veggies, devoured it outside on her sundeck and finished with our fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
We took a long afternoon walk in the woods and meadows at Machimoodus State Park. The day was breezy and warm – we could not have ordered more perfect weather! Back at Janet’s we had grilled wild turkey and veggies, enjoying supper outside as well.
Then, as dusk finally fell on the longest day of the year, we shared a campfire and watched the stars come out and the fireflies twinkle in the trees and eventually the embers dying down. We even heard a pack of coyotes howling in the distance. It was wonderful to have spent the entire day outdoors with the companionship of a good friend.
Sounds like a wonderful day–more than wonderful. Sounds perfect, actually. And I love the photos of the dove! Have a beautiful week, my friend.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy! I hope you’re having a wonderful week, too! *hugs*
Happy Solstice to both of you! What a lovely way to celebrate the day and welcome summer. And your dove is beautiful, wonderful photos. We have at least two families that have nested somewhere close by. The babies have just fledged and are finding their way onto our balcony several times a day. They seem quite unconcerned with our presence but the hummingbirds are taking exception, too close to *their* flowers and feeder. It’s been entertaining 🙂
Thank you so much Colleen! I can just imagine the drama unfolding on your balcony with the mourning dove fledglings and the hummingbirds. 🙂 I have a few mourning doves that visit me when I weed my little garden, but I’ve never been able to photograph them well. One day a pair brought their fledglings with them… They seem so curious and peck away at the ground near me. When other people come around they fly up to the telephone wire and watch the scene from there…
Barbara — the delicious food you described has my tastebuds dancing! And the photos you captured of the mourning dove are some of the best I’ve ever seen. What a wonderful day you had, thank you for sharing it.
Thank you, Laurie, for your kind words. I’ve been enjoying your posts about all your new adventures and new feline friend in Boise…
What a soft grey color you captured on that bird! Well done!
It WAS a special day; thank you for sharing it with me.
Thank you, Janet! I feel so blessed to have your friendship and someone to share these special adventures with. *hugs*
Sounds like a perfectly wonderful day Barbara. I’ve never eaten wild turkey. Where did Janet get it?
According to N. American Indian lore if the dove was posing for you it had a message for you. Ted Andrews in his book “Animal Speak” says…
“….the song of the mourning dove tells you to mourn what has passed, but awaken to the promise of the future. It is a bird of prophecy and can help you to see what you can give birth to in your life.”
It was a special day, Rosie, the energy of the solstice everywhere. Janet’s husband is a careful, respectful hunter.
Thank you so much for looking up the dove’s message for me – it feels that is exactly what is happening to me now. I am still mourning for my father and for Tim’s loss of his brother, but at the same time, eagerly anticipating the birth of my new granddaughter. Now that years and years of elder care are behind me it will be interesting to see what new direction my life will take.
It was such a beautiful message I had to copy it out for you.
*hugs* for you, Rosie…
You did a great job of photographing this. The mourning dove always reminds me of my mom. Such a delightful sound.
Thank you, Kathy. Mourning doves do have a sweet coo and that whistling sound their wings make when they take off is captivating, too. Is your mom fond of mourning doves, too?
Yes, she is. We often share our delight of their coos and whistling sounds.
…and *hugs* for you, too, Kathy…
What a perfect day !
Thank you, Sybil! It certainly was!
What a perfect way to celebrate the summer solstice, Barbara! Happy summer to you! XO ♥
Thank you so much, Diane! I hope your summer is going well, with plenty of fresh air and sunshine! *hugs*