On this chilly spring morning, I am sharing a curbside Mourning Dove that I photographed at one of my local parks three days ago when it was warmer. It might snow here in northern Utah today and turn to rain later this afternoon. Utah has crazy spring weather.
Curbside Mourning Dove adult – Nikon D500, f8, 1/320, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I guess there are people who wouldn’t photograph an urban dove, let alone share the photos and write about a city bird. I’m not one of those people. Never have been, never will be.
What makes this dove worthy of photographing and sharing the story behind it?
Put simply: This Mourning Dove is a bird.
That is all it takes for me to focus on a bird through my viewfinder, take photos, and share the real stories behind my images.
Whether other people think what I write about this bird is worthy or interesting isn’t my issue or concern.
When I look at this dove photo, I see a bird species that is thriving despite the buildings, the human-caused issues of noise and habitat destruction, and the intrusion of our own species into their world.
For a while, I was concerned that the non-native Eurasian Collared-Doves might displace the smaller Mourning Doves here in the neighborhood. Thankfully, that hasn’t happened. The Mourning Doves are holding their own space in this city.
Looking at the dove photo again, I have to smile and think: maybe the dove was simply waiting at the curbside for a Lyft. That thought made me giggle.
Birds bring me joy, and it simply doesn’t matter to me where I find them. It could be in the wilderness, at a wildlife refuge, at a local park, or even at the city dump. I love birds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mourning Dove photos plus facts and information about this species.
Thank you Mia. I love these birds. I have quite a few visiting in my yard year round. They’re just fun to watch how they interact with one another.
I find it interesting the doves in St George are more pink and red. Their feathers are stained by the iron in the sand and soil.
Just lovely – and even better that they are thriving in your area.
Lovely shot. I enjoy the Mourning Doves that hang around our neighborhood and serenade us with their soulful songs. Also spent some time yesterday watching the local Mallard couple shnorffle through the still-flooded parts of my front yard from the weird spring weather we’ve been having. Looks like the lady has ditched the two hangers-on and has finally selected her true love. 😂
Always a nice bird to see anywhere. Only ones in my area that I find are the collard doves. I have a pair that nest in trees in my yard and always around the bird feeder. Thanks for the picture.
Here in Denver the MODO is more of a rarity in my yard these days. I do get a few but I have to travel further east onto the plains to see larger flocks. The non-native EUCD is quite common in urban environments and I usually get quite a few at my open feeders. I had a WWDO in my yard a couple of years ago.