Mourning doves....

We've had a mourning dove nesting every year in teh same tree, on the same limb. I think this is the 4th year. The limb she chose is not very high...only about 5 feet off the ground so it's really easy to keep an eye on her.

Here she is the first time I noticed her this year.

But she hadn't laid any eggs yet.

The next day, she had laid one egg. This shot was taken July 4th.

She's gotten quite tame over the years & even though we get really close....she never becomes frightened.

I had the camera w/in a foot of her to get this next shot! Isn't the blue rim around her eye beautiful?

She kept her babies well hidden until last week & then revealed that she did have the usual two.

I was tickled pink when she proved she trusted me w/ them, by feeding them right in front of the camera!

Again, the camera wasn't more than 18" away when I got this next shot! It has not been cropped.

She didn't become alarmed until a neighborhood kid rode by on his bike.

LOVE this shot of mother & baby!!!

This photo was just taken yesterday. Their feathers are already filling in & it won't be long now before they leave the nest. *sniff sniff*

I sure am gonna miss my babies when they're gone...they're so much fun! I'll keep y'all updated on their growth!