A New Mom in the Neighborhood
I am sitting on my apartment’s back porch (essentially a perch a little larger than a fire escape) typing this as quietly as I can. I think I may be witnessing the miracle of life just a few feet away from me.
Last month a mourning dove took residence in our neighbor’s neglected flower box and has since deposited 2 eggs in it. We’ve noticed lately that she will not budge from the spot, even when Michael and I are out here occupying her space. The way she is moving today - as if she’s getting punched in her underbelly every few seconds - makes me think those eggs are no longer eggs.
Oh my goddess! There’s one now! She just fed it and shoved it back under into her down.
Earlier today, Michael was out here with me and we were joking about her state and what she might be saying to herself (if mourning doves could talk). Things like, “Oh great, can’t wait to be doing this all summer,” (last year, we watched a dove on our neighbor’s roof pop out four broods) and “Oh just love the feel of dried branches poking up against my loins, good thing I get to sit here for weeks on end.”
That was before I saw the baby birds. I would go get Michael to share this with him but I don’t want to disturb their morning feeding routine. The other one is out now, both clamoring for mom’s beak. My gosh, that’s why she’s so fat. She needs to feed on demand. And it’s not like she can run out and get something and leave those two behind. We’re on the third floor, safe from squirrels and other varmin, but grackles and starlings are known to hang out here and those b*tches can be nasty. You know, I think I could stand up and dance a jig. She is so focused on those little ones. I don’t think she would move unless it would be to poke my eyes out if I tried to touch one.
It’s probably a good thing Michael isn’t back here. I might get getting a little teary.
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POSTED IN: babies, environment, motherhood
1 opinion for A New Mom in the Neighborhood
Pamela Jeanne
May 4, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Watching nature at her best never ceases to transport me to a place of wonder…
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