It was well past sunset a few nights ago when Rich and I came across this little family of Mourning Doves down the street. The parents were feeding their baby, who looked like a recent fledgling.

The baby was fun to watch as he flapped his wings and stuck his beak up Mom’s throat. After watching wading birds at rookeries this spring, it was a little different to see how birds with shorter necks feed. There isn’t nearly as much head-bobbing or flailing. Baby ran back and forth between Mom and Dad, getting food from both of them. Then the parents flew away, and Baby followed. A nice end to our evening walk!