Hi Michael, I can understand the potential loss for things like this and your point of view. When the creatures find safe passage into a place, they are all too happy to call it home even if inconvenient for the owners. A thought passed through my mind as I wrote that. "When the settlers came to this mostly virgin land, I wonder if God thought the same thing when he looked down at what they left behind".

Hi Joan, I am loving the idea that this one couple is here. But I am not encouraging others. I feel I am doing my part sharing one basket ( one nest) . I have no intention of running a bird hotel or sanctuary but these (2) short term guests are welcome.

Hi Jason, It all seems about degrees to me. If my attic were invaded, I would naturally have to take action. But for one couple of morning doves, I figured it was OK and besides, I took the precautions to prepare the area around it so that nothing would be damaged or ruined if they get a little messy. They look for a safe place and if they are happy with what I prepared for them, it pleases me. I went out a few minutes ago to visit and they are getting used to seeing me and know I will not harm them. They seem OK with things so far. She hasn't laid her eggs yet. But she does look content though still  popping her head up to keep an eye on me.

Hi Pat, Thank you for coming by and adding in your comment here. It seems to be a worthwhile endeavor and I never get tired of seeing beautiful things.

Hi Sharon, We each do a little, seems to make a difference.

Woo Hoo, Yep. Nature still fascinates me. I never grow tired of things like this. That first person that comments had a big problem but I don't expect I will with just one couple. Besides they are beautiful to look at. I love how they look for each other. The Daddy stands guard. Seems God knows what he is doing. But I am glad there are no groups around calling him a chauvinist because he looks out for her.

The planter they are in is well protected besides, I have no cats around. They could not get up to them anyway. It sort of funny when they move around in the planter, it starts to swing. Weee ! They may be thinking of it like humans think of a porch swing,:) Thren again, I am not sure of that. I might need to put a rod in the chain to stiffen it up?

Hi Cindy, I actually thought of that. I had a couple lay eggs and hatch the newbies in this same location the year before last. The difference this year is the prepared planter. And the fact that I cleared the area underneath so I could control any mess they might make. It might be the same birds for all I know, they didn't even look up when I asked if they had been here before. They aren't talking. :-)

Hi Gary, I am still frazzled,  and to use Sally's words, " No kidding, huh". I was just on a web show about Facebook with Dustin Luther and how to use Facebook as an effective marketing tool for business. I listened and didn't understand much of any of it.I got two terms only one of which I am acquainted with. Friends for personal and Fans for the business side.  If I wasn't so stuborn, I think I would let all this pass me by.

Hi Susan, That is great and I will go and check it out at the local Petco. I remember once before of feeling that the mother wasn't getting enough to eat once she starts sitting on the eggs. I know the male bird comes to her everyday, but was he bringing food?  I thought it might be useful to have extra food in case she needs it. I hung a small cup for water on the side of the planter the last time they were here ( but it had a plant in it and it of course did not make it through the nesting ordeal because I couldn't water the plant itself) and she seemed to liked having the water since would stick her head in the cup and the water level always went down. So I guess unless she was just spashing it out, she was drinking it. Thanks again for the information and I will act on it this evening.

Hi Rene, It seemed the right thing to do and with a home office, it provides a nice diversion to sitting at my desk.

I feel like a doctor here being careful to " Do No Harm". :-)

Hi Marchel, I just have this thought. It's likely to be at least twins, what do think? :-) They left this afternoon but I know they will be in their nest in the morning. I wonder where they go in the afternoon? A friend was over and she suggested they were probably just taking in a movie, LOL.  At the new prices of our theaters, I would have to wonder about that.

Hi Bill, they are really a handsome couple. When the little ones come, the won't be as nice looking. They are mostly grey but as the days pass the begin to look more and more like their parents. It is amazing to watch them change. I  hope I will get a chance to do some video of them they get the eggs layed and she hatches them. Should be some cool pictures. But  I will have to do it in very short spurts so as not to upset them

Hi Lynda, That was a pretty interesting picture but I think the whole issue is a matter of scale. Certainly doesn't compare with 1 couple of Morning Doves and a nest that I prepared for them myself. If I had chosen to dis-invite then, it would have been as simple as eliminating any chance for the mother to lay her eggs there. I have been a landlord before and found the entire experience wonderful.

Good Mornning Missy, The exeperince has been sort of centering. It changes my focus , first thing in the morning. I find it uplifting as I read the mornings headlines and what isn't working well in the world.

Hi Jim,  I think I will leave mother nature to provide their way. This just gives them a safe place to start out life and I get the benefit of feeling that I contributed in some small way. They are very peaceful looking as well as sounding birds. Should be fun to chronicle the success of the new babies when they arrive. Mindful of the fact the mother hasn't layed her eggs as yet. It was interesting watching them in the nest move about. They departed yesterday early afternoon ( one of friends suggesting they were taking in afternoon movie, lol) and they were back this morning. Maybe they are closing up the winter house somewhere, :-) They hadn't been here long this morning since the planter was swaying indicating the had just landed in there.

Hi Jeff, Now that would be fun to see and hope you write that post. I would bet that photos would be great.

Hi Joan, I hadn't thought of the parallel. I certainly always try to take good care of all my clients. I did a little project today and that was to build a heavy cover over the open lattice work to protect them all. No eggs as yet. They moved off again today to a large tree branch nearby so  had access to get up above and add a temp cover so if it rains the nest is now completely protected. We are expecting to have some heavy windy weather over the weekend with a small chance of rain so I am glad I got it finished today.

Hi Renee, Thanks s much for your sweet comments. I'm just a softy but when you love little creatures, it is easy to want be sure they are well cared for.

Hi Karen, Thanks you so much and I am delighted that you enjoyed this. Aren't these doves amazing and beautiful birds. After I finished getting the cover built for the lattice top on the patio cover above the nest, I took a break and was admiring my handy work. I have this little humming bird that must think  I am related as it comes right up to my face on a regular basis. About 12 inches away but it does this when I am sitting down out there. It seems to be the same one  as best I can tell, it looks the same but it seems to like being up near my face. I love it naturally and always wish  I could capture it on film but it is too close to take a picture and I wouldn't want to scare it off with something that makes a click sound.

Hi Janice, We forget sometimes to just stop and smell the ...., oh, we have all heard that before so let me come up with something more original. We all need to take time to savor the joy of living and for me and I would guess many others, it should and would include the joy of interacting with nature, not just eyeballing it. When we were kids we did that often but when we grow up, we set other priorities. Some of those may be misplaced because all of them are more greatly enhanced when we take time to really enjoy some of the free things on earth ( all that mother nature provides) and the joy of interacting with it. It also helps us to understand our true relevance and tends to keep our outlook in perspective.

Hi Teri, I got the new rain and wind protection in place above the nest yesterday. The couple were back today until the lawn guy came with the lawnmower. They are perched in a nearby tree but this morning early she was moving up and down by herself. I wasn't sure if she was laying eggs or not but she was sure gyrating. A while later he came and perched on the frame of the planter. With all this distractions, she might have been spooked. Anyway, While she was in the tree, I moved 2 tall Cyprus trees near the nest to give them some visual protection. It won't cut any noise of the lawn mover but at least they wont have to see at it, :-). I am like an expectant father, always checking in to make sure they are OK. I sat in a lounge chair awhile ago and she returned to the nest. She watches me but isn't disturbed by my presence, thankfully.

Hi Martha, It was fun and as it porves out, very productive. See my comments to Richard.

Gawd Richard, it took you long enough to get here, since I shared this with you live as it was happening. The mother is back sitting 24 /7 now and the male is bringing food to her. I presume she is sitting on eggs but I won't disturb her to find out. I looked down through a window that is above her and can't see anything but she sees me. She is sitting very tight in the nest so my guess is she has layed her eggs late yesterday. As I understand it, she must sit continuously until they hatch to keep them at a constant temperature..

Hi Bryant, It was certainly disappointing today at what happened with a Crow stealing one of the 2 eggs. I hope the single one survives at least.

Hi Sharon, thanks for coming by and I feel the same way.