There is something really soft and gentle about Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), and we seem to have quite a few of them in my neighborhood, as I discovered while walking about on Tuesday after our snowstorm the previous day. Some of the ones that I saw were by themselves, like the dove in the first and second photo, while others were in pairs, like the two in the final photo.
Mourning Doves always seem long and angular to me. In these shots, the birds seem to have puffed up their feathers a bit in an effort to stay warm. I am always amazed that birds and other wildlife manage to survive when conditions get this harsh and inhospitable. On this day, at least, there was some sunshine, which allowed the birds to warm up a bit.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I really enjoy the doves. Right now, I have more white-wings at my feeders than mourning doves, but I’ve heard a few cooing in the evenings, and yesterday I noticed a male chasing a potential mate around. They may be rushing the season a bit! As for staying warm, there’s a reason people in really cold areas love down comforters for their beds!
So true about down. I do not have any down comforters, but I do have several down jackets and may still have a down sleeping bag. They are great at helping me stay warm, as long as they do not get wet. 🙂
We usually have 3 or 4 hanging around the bird feeder. I have not seen them lately. I will have to look for them.
You have captured the “puffing” beautifully. I can really see the form and texture of all those feathers. I love that middle portrait in particular. The soft, almost pastel hues of the image are very calming to look at.
Thanks, Laura. Soft Images like these help to remind me why doves are one of the traditional symbols of peace. 🙂
Beautiful creatures. All the best for 2022 Mike
I love mourning doves, too. They do seem very peaceful. We have the little ground doves around here, too, and they’re incredibly adorable.
When we fed birds there were always a few mourning doves that visited. We no longer feed due to bear marauders in the neighborhood. Because of warmer winters we stopped with that season of feeding also because bears were sometimes roaming when days were not as cold.
Despite the dove’s reputation for peace, they are a bit bullyish when it comes to birdseed, at least those in our yard were.
I love mourning doves! Great photos.
What a peaceful and beautiful picture! I love doves!
Thanks so much. It is easy to take these gentle birds for granted. I see them fairly often and hear their cooing sounds even more frequently. When I first started photographing birds, I remember thinking that I was hearing owls all of the time until a more experienced birder told me that what I was hearing was the sound of doves, not owls. 🙂
I had a similar experience at the campground, Mike, from a wise fire friend (there was so much wisdom around our daily fires~I soaked it in!). 😊
I always feel they’re overlooked, and yet they are so beautiful. These Doves look like they are well fed and keeping warm.
I love seeing these guys in our yard/
I especially love hearing the doves too.