It is always a nice when the Mourning Doves have returned to the neighborhood and such a pleasant sound to hear while on a early morning walk. I wonder what that small iridescent patch of feathers is for?
It is always a nice when the Mourning Doves have returned to the neighborhood and such a pleasant sound to hear while on a early morning walk. I wonder what that small iridescent patch of feathers is for?
nature has no boss 
Beautiful photo Mike! I agree with you, I love the comforting sound of a mourning dove!
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HI, and yes comforting is a good description. It might be fun to get a recording of mourning doves someday. Hope you are having a great week.
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Yeah, comforting sound. That is the word I was looking for. Thanks strickman. I love mourning doves. The iridescent patch, I am told by my wildlife biologist husband, appears only on males and it is apparently a beauty mark. Beautiful shot! The expression and the detail in the feathers! Thanks for sharing.
Mary
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Thanks for the info. I figured one of the two sexes was wearing that patch to attract the other but did not know which one it was. Anyway it seems to have worked as this guys is always hanging around with a lady now and she does not have that beauty patch. Thanks again and tell you husband tanks for filling us all in.
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I love their song. When I hear them it just makes me so happy.
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The same here. It is such a nice mellow sound. Hope your week is off to a great start.
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When I observe the coloring of animals, I always feel so plain by comparison! How do they turn weeds and seeds into such beautiful colors?
Virtual hugs,
Judie
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Hi, it is amazing that all of us here on this planet can take in the most basic elements extracted from weeds, seeds, dirt, air and sunshine and combine them all into what each of us is. The wonder of life.
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I love the coloring of mourning doves. The patch is probably attractive to mates, you think?
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Hi Eliza, that was my suspicion and it appears to be the case as pointed out by another commenter. Besides the patch they do have such subtle and subdued colors and grey-peach color is fantastic. Hope your week is off to a great start.
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Such delicate colours, beautifully caught.
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Paula well said…delicate colors indeed. Hop your day is going well.
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Wonderful post and I enjoyed reading through these responses – learned a lot. Mourning Doves and their soft cooing are absolutely one of my favorites, too.
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Hi and thanks. One of the great things about posting here is that you can ask a question and get very well informed answers. It is like having you own personal group of experts. Hope your day is going well.
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beautiful image- so crisp, bright, love the delicacy, detail of the feathers, and that muted palette so well caught. lovely photo of a lovely bird!
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Thanks Martine, It is indeed a lovely palette on these birds. Subtle yet bold in a way and the transitions from one to another color work perfectly. Hope your day is going well.
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Lovely photo!
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Thanks, hope your day is going well.
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Seems it’s only the male doves who have that colorful patch – or at least larger than the female ones. But either way, most beautiful. 🙂
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Hi Suzan, it does appear that the males have this patch. I was this guy with his mate and the female did not have that patch.
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🙂
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Thanks.
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Have a peaceful day. 🙂
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A peaceful day would be very nice indeed. Thanks Nomzi.
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I live for them. 🙂
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Me too, have a wonderful weekend.
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🙂
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Thanks.
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Love this. I feed them on my window sill. And sneak a photo or two every once in a while. 🙂
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Thanks and glad you like the photo. Those subtle colts are a wonder and it must be nice to have a few visitors to your window sill every now and then. Take care and have a great weekend.
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Thanks, Mike! You, too! 🙂
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Your welcome and I sure will.
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Take plenty of photos! 🙂
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Thanks and Now that I have finished the semester and have a bit of time off I might get to that photography… and responding to comments. Hop your week is going well.
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Enjoy your time off! 🙂
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Short and beautiful post, and I’ve learned a lot from it and the comments. Thanks.
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Thanks Stephen, it is great to have such an informed and wonderful community to learn from here. Hope you are doing well this fine day.
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Peaceful rhythm to their song
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A stunner with such delicate colours.
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and that wonderful mourning song each and every morning.
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Much of them is iridescent. It depends how the light hits them. They are so beautiful and I love that little alarm whistle they let out with when they take off from the ground.
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It is always a wonder to see how the colors on some birds change just by moving a foot or two and changing the light.
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Excellent image! And I was glad one of your commenters knew about the patch of color
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Hi LB and thanks. It is great to have such inform people here blogging along and teaching when questions are asked.
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