Cold Morning Dove

A Mourning Dove stopped by my backyard on this cold and frosty morning after Christmas. There was a nice gathering of sparrows, finches and juncos for the sunflower seed breakfast buffet. Each of the bird visitors looked especially charming, and it was a difficult choice to pick the one whose photo I would submit. These beautiful and sleek Mourning Doves, with long pointed tails and narrow pointed wings are seen less and less every year in my region of Northern Arizona. While they used to be the only dove you would recognize on a power line or fence, they have taken a reproductive back seat to the Eurasian collared doves. So it is always a treat to see their subtle brown and gray beauty. This one has a very soulful eye and a distinct eye ring which warmed my heart on this snowy morn.