Perched Mourning Dove in morning light – Nikon D810, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I came across this roadside Mourning Dove photo in my archives the other day and realized I don’t share photos of this species often enough. Mourning Doves aren’t flashy but I think they are handsome birds and that their calls are hauntingly beautiful.
I photographed this Mourning Dove in Box Elder County, Utah in May of 2016. It was perched in lovely morning light right next to a dusty dirt road. I was surprised that this dove stuck around long enough to let me take a few photos of it. They are considered game birds which means people shoot at them and they can be extremely skittish outside of towns and cities.
I hear and see Mourning Doves at home just outside my living room window and their calls are soothing to me, especially during our current global crisis. Hearing Mourning Doves calling is calming for me.
That’s all I have today.
Life is good. Stay safe.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Mourning Dove photos plus facts and information about this species.
That is a truly lovely call (which I sure as hell wouldn’t be making if I was considered game).
Thank you.
After my parents died , I visited my childhood home and got a tour from the new owners. There were a pair of Mourning doves perched side-by-side on top of a bench. It was a moving sight, regardless of coincidence or not. You rarely “just” take a photo of a bird. This one is in good light and rousing its feathers and has its head turned “just so.” Well seen!
They are a subtle beauty. There are still more morning doves than Eurasian in Southern Utah. I have noticed a color variation in Southern Utah, they are more red/orange. I wonder if it is due to the red dirt.
I also have Mourning Doves in my yard (they especially like the Liquid Amber) and find them both beautiful and comforting.