There have been a lot of doves in the back yard this year. I’m certain there are Mourning Doves, because aside from hearing many, many of them hoo-hooing in the trees, the cats spend endless hours in the kitchen window being actively taunted by these fat and happy birds. I’ve also heard –but not yet seen– White-winged Doves. Their hoo-hooing is somewhat different. Together, they make a nice little symphony of bird song. Very aboriginal clay flute in tenor and tempo. I’ve been trying to get a sound recording when the birds are all singing (we have more than just doves hanging around), but I’m not exactly set up for decent outdoor sound recording.

You can learn more about these two critters currently inhabiting my back yard at these links, as well as listen to the calls: Mourning Dove and White-winged Dove.

Though I really enjoy listening to the noisy gray birds hoo-hooing in my yard every day, I do wish they wouldn’t eat all my Calendula seeds the moment the flower’s petals wilt. I’m trying to collect those!

And sometimes I find I miss the pigeons that used to roost on the roof of our second-story apartment … though not too much. Sort of nasty birds, really.