The Tangled Branch Discussion Forums

Pigeons

Four feet from my back door
two pigeons have built a nest,
in my Fire Maple.
Deep thick leaf cover,
nothing to betray it
save a few dropped sticks,
and an increasing lime splatter
on the paving slab below

Two baby pigeons, spiky headed
like hair-gelled punks,
parent birds busy feeding them.
The young sit tight and low,
heads barely visible.

Difficult to photograph,
without trimming the tree a bit,
which would expose them too much,
to hunting Magpies or Crows.

So I watch what I can,
speaking to them softly,
stood below in dappled shadows.
Mummy Pigeon 'Coos' back at me,
a gentle sound with no alarm.

Their 'spikes' have softened,
they perch on the edge of the nest.
'Sitting out.'
Not yet ready for flight,
but flapping their still-stubby wings,
feeling out the air around them,
the larger world soon to be theirs.

Gyppo 

If there's any sign of them rebuilding the nest next year I'll try to get a web camera up there before the eggs are laid.  It's within stepladder reach, but I discovered the nest too late to risk disturbing them this time.
 

Great image
 
Two baby pigeons, spiky headed
like hair-gelled punks,
parent birds busy feeding them.

and sweet to read soemone who declares such a tender regard for pigeons
Dave

Dave wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 10, 2022 10:50 am

and sweet to read soemone who declares such a tender regard for pigeons
Dave

These are proper wild woodpigeons, not town pigeons.  Much easier to feel kindly disposed towards the 'wild ones'.

I've hunted their species from time to time, but never in my garden.  They seem to know it's safe territory.

Gyppo
 

Like Dave I loved the image of your punk pigeons. I actually like city pigeons for the subtle iridescent colors and ability to adapt. 
 

indar wrote: ↑

Sat Aug 06, 2022 4:18 pm

Like Dave I loved the image of your punk pigeons. I actually like city pigeons for the subtle iridescent colors and ability to adapt. 

I agree about the iridescent colour, especially on the proudly stuck out breast of a male strutting around, cooing seductively at his intended mate.  I watched and listened to one for quite a while in the local park.  The poor chap was nearly busting a gut trying to impress and she just didn't want to know.

After he gave up another male flew in, made little more than a token gesture, and the little hussy almost threw herself underneath him

I guess when it's right it's right.

Gyppo