I read the newspaper this morning before I looked at the photos I took yesterday. This image of a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge seems to reflect my innermost feelings at this moment about the senseless slaughter of innocents in Pittsburgh.
My heart goes out to all of those mourning their losses.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
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Beautiful! Such gently looking birds. I love the colorful leafy background in this photo.
They are so pretty. We have a bunch of these in our yard.
Their colors are somewhat subdued, but I totally agree that they have a gentle beauty that I find very attractive.
Timely.
Beautiful capture with the autumn leaves in the background.
Thank you, Michael. We are all in mourning.
The dove and the leaves all look very autumnal and harmonious. Beautiful! The relationship between the “mourning” dove and the colourful leaves intrigued me. I found it oddly comforting, like hope even in the midst of sorrow.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Liz. Mourning is a strange thing. Traditionally people were somber and dressed in black for funerals, but increasing funerals are becoming a celebration of life. Yes, we grieve for what we have lost, but more importantly we remember the positive memories. Recently I came across a quotation that really spoke to me. It said that the past should be a point of reference, not a place of residence. For better or for worse, after a loss, we have to come to terms with a new reality.