In Their Mama's Care
by Janet Marie
Title
In Their Mama's Care
Artist
Janet Marie
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
It is a wonderful reminder that "Spring has Sprung," when we hear in our Arizona Sonoran Desert garden of joy, the coo of a Mourning Dove. It may sound sad, but it signals the beginning of this birds habits of nesting, claiming territory, raising their young. Beyond her sorrowful song is a message of life, hope, renewal and peace.
It always amazes me where a bird may decide to build a nest, and doves are no exception. This Cane Cholla Cactus or Walking Stick Cholla, located in my very own desert garden of joy, is once again, being used by a mama dove.
In the months of April and May, I captured the journey of a mama dove, who was twice "in the family way." We traveled to Europe from May 17th to June 4th. It seems she carried on without me. For once again, for the third time, here are two baby doves, "In Their Mama's Care."
They have been known to reuse the same nest for five sets of eggs in a single season. It seems that she has been quite busy then. Although, usually 2 - 3 broods are raised each season. Three in this mama dove's case.
Uploaded
April 1st, 2019
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Viewed 1,349 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/24/2024 at 9:57 AM
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Comments (46)
Karen Adams
What a beautiful capture, Janet! So precious! . . .f/l
Janet Marie replied:
This mother dove was the greatest. I earned her trust, and she allowed me to share her story from laying her eggs, to this stage. Right in my very own desert acre of joy. Choosing to nest in this Cane Cholla Cactus. Thank you, Karen, for stopping and sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate it!
Pat Goltz
Very nice shot! I am partial to these friendly birds. One raised three pairs of babies in one summer, in my aviary!
Janet Marie replied:
This is the only mourning dove that allowed me to get in close. Following her journey that spring. After getting back from a trip, a different dove took over the nest, but was not as obliging as this one. Thank you for taking a look and sharing such a nice comment. I really appreciate it!
Alinna Lee
I love reading about your birds and the surroundings of where you live. It is like reading National Geographic! Thanks for the reply to my previous comment. The addition information is such fun to read. Cheers, -Alinna
Janet Marie replied:
Wow, Alinna! What a wonderful comment about my work. One of the reasons I love photographing the beauty of Arizona, hoping to evoke your exact feelings expressed. I am delighted that you enjoy reading my stories behind my work and that you have found them fun. She was quite a gal to get to know. Thank you for stopping by to view my work. It means a lot.
Rick Ulmer
Beautiful photo Janet, very well done!
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you, Rick. Very sweet of you to say. I really appreciate that. It was not an easy task, but I had a very cooperative subject, who I earned her trust.
Alinna Lee
Awesome capture! How cool is this to see mama and baby bird together in once one’s own garden.
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Alinna for your comment and taking notice of my bird photography. Having one's home situated on an acre of natural desert flora, is an awesome treat indeed. This mama dove and her two babies was quite unique that year, as she was most cooperative with all my time photographing her over weeks of spending time with her in this cane cholla cactus. None of the desert vegetation was planted by me.
Conni Schaftenaar
lovely photo, Janet Marie - I've seen photos before of doves nesting in cactus (and other birds do, too, I know). How fascinating that they can use some of the natural defense of the cactus to protect themselves and their young! this is just a sweet photo! F
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Conni for your lovely words expressed about my dove photography. One of the joys of living on an acre of natural Sonoran Desert in Arizona. I had the pleasure for a few seasons, this one being the best, as this dove allowed me to get close. They are very skittish birds. These doves will build their nests in many unusual places, the cholla cactus is most amazing. The cactus wren and curve-billed thrasher have built their nests in my other cactus as well.
Richard Bryce and Family
This is marvelous, Janet! Seen on FB. L/F
Janet Marie replied:
Wow, Richard! How nice of you to see it on Facebook and choose to visit this and make a wonderful comment. Thank you so much for that. I really appreciate it!
Alana Thrower
Love this wonderful Mourning Dove image! Beautifully captured! l/f/t/p/fb
Janet Marie replied:
Wow, Alana! Thank you for all the support sharing this on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Most generous of you. I really appreciate your lovely words expressed too.
Sharon McConnell
This is so sweet, Janet! Wonderful capture.
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you, Sharon. She was a most cooperative and sweet dove. For some reason she took to me. Other mourning doves who graced my desert acre cholla cactus, would take off. It was a fun spring following her journey of 3 groups of babies from April to June.
Catherine Ludwig Donleycott
Oh, my goodness, that is a great shot. Love that shade of grey and the babies are adorable!
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Catherine for visiting and sharing such a nice comment about a "spring has sprung" moment. She was an unusual dove, as they are skittish birds, flying away with any movement. I felt quite privileged to have earned her trust.
Sharon W
Ohh wow. So precious and beautiful as can be! We do get many of these guys here, but I have never caught where they nest!! Amazing capture!
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you Sharon, for your lovely words expressed about this. A wonderful reminder of spring, and the gifts they share. Bringing joy, despite the world trying to take our peace away. These mourning doves will build their nests in the strangest places.
Jasna Dragun
So beautiful !! l/f
Janet Marie replied:
A beautiful moment indeed! Thank you Jasna for your visit and choosing this as one of your favorites too.
Cindy Treger
Janet, great shot. f/l
Janet Marie replied:
She was an amazing mourning dove, producing 3 broods in this cactus. I had the pleasure of capturing her journey. She trusted me, and allowed me to photograph her with her babies. How special to be able to get it on film as they say, and then be able to share it. Thank you Cindy for your thoughts and choosing this as one of your favorites.
Bill Pusztai
I don't think I've ever seen a bird smize before :) very sweet!
Janet Marie replied:
This was a unique mama dove and her babies. That spring I had the pleasure of winning over the trust of this dove. Allowing me to get in close, with gentle movements and soothing words. I suppose she was smizing, the eyes looking most relaxed at my presence. I never experienced a dove like this again. Thank you for sharing your lovely thoughts about my photography. I really appreciate it!
DORU SAVA
Wonderful!
Janet Marie replied:
Doru! Thank you for stopping by my gallery to share your awesome comment about my photographic works. I really appreciate it!
Christiane Schulze Art And Photography
A marvelous capture with wonderful details Janet
Janet Marie replied:
Christiane! Thank you for visiting my gallery and sharing your wonderful comment about my photography. I really appreciate it! Janet💕
Nieves Egelkraut
Tender scene. This surely feeds my soul. C/F. You've captured this well with great exposure setting .
Janet Marie replied:
Nieves! Thank you for stopping by my gallery and sharing such a wonderful comment about my photography. I really appreciate it! That spring, this mourning dove was just the sweetest. I warmed up to her and she trusted me to capture her with my camera. I am delighted to know how it made you feel. Janet💕
Jasna Dragun
Wow, what a nest among thorns, great capture! l/f/pin
Janet Marie replied:
Jasna! Thank you for stopping by my gallery and sharing such a wonderful comment about my photography. I really appreciate that, the fave and the pin! Janet💕
GJ Glorijean
Into the Art! Blessing of Animals FAA show closing in a little while 01:30 AM 10/18/2020... Saw you are online so thought I'd reach out for you to submit some of your wonderful wildlife photographs! LF GJ glorijean
Janet Marie replied:
Thank you kindly for the invitation, but I only now saw your invitation on the 18th at 8:18 AM Pacific time zone. I also am not sure where the show is. It would have been better to have contacted me online if it was Facebook, as I get notifications announcement. FAA doesn’t notify us when someone leaves a comment. I the thought in wanting me to include my work. I am glad you like this and have chosen it as one of your favorites. Janet 💕
Janet Marie replied:
I see it was a Contest on FAA, after doing some searching. Using the word show, threw me off.