What's dumb and pretty and struts around with a feather on its nose? Only a mourning dove could be this lovely and this dopey. After her preening session, she carried that feather around with her for the next half hour - possibly longer but she flew away. For all I know she has it still.
Now this is a very smart bird. Her name is Lucy and she belongs to Frank. I've never seen her walk around with a feather on her nose. She does however walk around with a question in her voice. That question is "Wanna peanut?"
Now don't be fooled. Lucy isn't really offering a peanut. She's hoping upon hope that her repeated offers will convince one of us to get one for her. As you can tell by the victorious look in her eye, she's usually successful.
One afternoon, while sitting on my front deck, I noticed the goldfinch high atop a tree branch a couple of houses away. Frank's nifty 100-400 lens allowed me to take this shot from where I sat.
Much closer to me, but in Frank's back yard this time, this lovely little chickadee flew in to dine at the birdie café. Frank sets seed out every evening for them to enjoy and she's about to fly down to partake. I like the way her feathers are backlit by the sun.
One evening, at my local pond, this mallard struck a lovely pose, bowing its head as if in silent remembrance. I didn't realize it until I noticed the date upon scheduling this post, but I find this to be a fitting image with which to end this post on September 11 - ten years after.
This was a scheduled post.
58 comments:
amen...
Just smilin' ......
We endure!
You are on top form......a great set.
I wouldn't mind a peanut.
great shots all! Esp Goldy Finch - I gotta get me one of them fancy lenses!
You ROCK
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
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Yes, very fitting indeed.
¤*¨¨*¤.¸¸ ...¸.¤\
\ 9/11 R.I.P ~♥~ \
.\¸.¤*¨¨*¤ .¸¸.¸.¤*
..\
☻/
/▌
/ \ NEVER FORGET!!!
Thoughts & prayers. ~♥~
Beautiful images, as always. I think we need a video of Lucy. And thank you for the remembrance of September 11, 2001.
What a wonderful post! Lucy is delightful and determined, and that last photo is a lovely tribute.
What a lovely last pose fitting to make us remember.
Beautiful images, well worth a lot.
Wow!!! Your images are amazing!
I too will never forget the horror of this day 10 years ago!!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Magnificent photos of birds. The goldfinch is beautiful. Mourning doves are one of my favorites. We have two pair of them here and they are so graceful and calming to watch.
lovely pics hilary and yes i love the head bowed in the last...
I always love bird photos. Certainly remembering down this way. Fitting photo.
I am impressed that you were able to get the goldfinch so clearly but still retain the sky colour.
Lovely captures of some of our feathered friends. The last photo does illustrate the somber, reflective qualities of this day.
Thanks Hilary.
Your bird pictures are so lovely, always. And yes, the last one is a fitting way to remember ten years ago.
As always, your photos are wonderful. Like the bird...I'm remembering too.
Doves really are dopey birds. :-)
Mourning doves are exceedingly dumb and they build the flimsiest nests. It's a wonder they survive.
Beautiful images.This is truly a day of remembrance,even for me in Canada.
My mother had doves, and they are beautiful and dopey. Their nests fall apart.
Thank you for your remembrances.
Lovely sentiment and beautiful images, Hilary. Hoping upon hope. Thank you. :)
Love the dove, and indeed they aren't the brightest birds. They will strut along the driveway only moving at the last minute, as if daring you to hit them. In reality, they just don't think to get out of the way.
They are so intelligent those birds and you can see the cogwheels going round.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
Dumb, smart, busy, and beautiful - all are a feast to my eyes.
Very thouhtful of you to incorporate a tribute to the memory of Sept. 11, 2001.
I like the parrot, I have thought a bird could be fun. I would have to ask my pet sitter first, she took some coaxing to take care of all the cats.
I envy your 'eye' and your super lenses.
Great shots.
So beautiful. Especially that last one...
Yes, that 100-400mm lens is amazing. Your last shot was very fitting for today. :)
I think birds are near the top of God's amazing creations. You captured the beauty and uniquiness of these birds. Today has been a bit on the somber side - remembering - I think I need to be a bit more like you mallard. Good job!
What a great collection - the detail on the dove is amazing!
Lovely shots. Mourning doves crack me up. They're like the dumb blondes of the bird world. Interesting pose for a duck. Very somber.
Hopefully we all bowed our head for a moment of remembrance today.
Very nice, Hilary.
a perfect end photo -
At my childhood home, in Dorchester (a somewhat rough section of Boston), we had pigeons - tough, street-smart birds, fairly intelligent, and they even had an alias, as they are officially rock doves. Now, in Watertown, a relatively quiet suburb, pigeons are scarce, but mourning doves are plentiful. In comparison, they are babes in the woods. Yes, dopey, as birds go. Pretty, but dopey.
it is a fitting image
have you ever seen the commercial with the amazing white booted horses (I can't spell their name) where they travel to NYC and then bow down in front of the skyline
gets me every single time
on a happier note - I have mourning doves always outside and I have taken to telling them you think they're dumb so they should do something clever for me to shoot
of course they don't get it ;)
Thanks for the remembrance photos. Well done, even down to the mourning dove with the feather. I love the way you put your photos together.
Oh, I love these, Hilary!
Beautiful, Hilary. Both the pics and the remembrance.
Sept. 11 was my grandmother's birthday. She would have been about 125 years old or so.
My family is used to hearing me rail about how dumb and careless mourning doves are, and yours just proves my point.
I have never seen a gold finch look so noble!
Good bird photos Hilary. And yes, that last duck with the bowed head does seem appropriate - Dave
Awesome selection,the dove and feather especially. Maybe she's just proud of her feathers!
After the long trip out to LA and back I feel a bit like the dove ..
How did you manage that dove with a feather in her mouth? When I grow up, I want to take pictures like you.
Lovely shots dear friend, hope life is treating you well,
xoxo
I moved to the Washington from California as a twelve year old. I remember the first time I saw a finch in the wild. To this day, I find them magical little birds. I had no idea Frank had a bird. All these years of blog reading and I only know of Benny from your blog :). But it figures. There are animals a plenty in your lives :)!
good description of a mourning dove! great photos
the mourning dove may be dopey but she is lovely.
You've gone to the birds, and they all seem to tell a story.
Wonderful and great shots
A great birds' eye view...and a great view of all the rest of the birds as well.
The mourning dove. I sort of feel sorry for her. Makes her look so vulnerable.
These are some fantastic birds enjoying the summer!
i was just thinking it's nearly time for a new pair of rain boots. I'm liking those red ones.
Hope your days are happy ones. xo jj
Lovely shots!
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