Mourning Doves

The dove has an incredible wealth of lore and legend surrounding it. Spanning many different eras and cultures. The Mourning Dove's most distinctive characteristic is it's song.

"The song of the dove speaks to all who hear it. It's mournful tones stir the emotions, the internal waters."

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

As if I didn't have enough reasons to hate Mondays. Three weeks ago, today, was the worst day of my life. So, this seems like the appropriate time to write this.

I had been hearing the song of the Mourning Dove quite frequently over the past year. But, I could never get my camera in time to get any usable footage. At least, not until this past summer, where the doves seemed to stick around longer. Letting me film them.

_{Just perchin'}

_{You lookin' at me?}

_{My initial thought was, "What's a pigeon doing in the middle of the lawn?"}

As you can see by their appearance and body movement, Doves are related to pigeons. So, it's also important to study the characteristics of pigeons when learning about doves.

Pigeons have a long history of being associated with the home. Many of us have heard the term "homing pigeon". That's because pigeons have the amazing ability to find their way home no matter how far away they are.

"It is because of this that they often are symbols for a time or a need to return to the security of home. Pigeons can teach us how to find our way back when we are lost. They help us to remember and find the love of home and home life that we have either given up or lost."

Animal Speak by Ted Andrews

_{All I know is something like a bird within her sang ~ "Bird Song"}

_{All I know she sang a little while and then flew on ~ "Bird Song"}

In hindsight, I need to do a better job of listening to nature at the time it's communicating with me. It wouldn't have made three weeks ago any less painful, but it could have made the last year a little better. And getting a little better should be everyone's goal.

Wherever we are, we are surrounded by nature. It's always trying to communicate with us. Take time to notice. #NoticeNature. Just dove right in!