There are lot of birds around here. We live at the edge of a small creek with a stand of woods across it on one side and the open fields and meadows of a farm on the other. Our feeder draws all different kinds of birds, all day, every day. Nearly anytime you look out there though, you will find some of these: 
Mourning Doves mate for life and stay here for the winter, rather than migrate – it is not unusual to see 20 to 30 of them arrayed in the surrounding trees. They hang out under the feeder long enough to pick up a bunch of seeds from the ground and then roost in the trees while they chew them up.
They hold still long enough so that even I can get sharp shots of them. It was 10 below when I took these pics this morning. It didn’t seem to bother the doves though. 
The cold weather didn’t bother me either, since I am willing to suffer in order to bring these lovely photos to you. Yep – I was out there in the freezing cold, snapping away before I even finished one cup of coffee. Okay, okay – I was standing in my kitchen and took these through the window. Going outdoors would scared them away. Not to mention freezing my tushie off.
Nice shots! We have two pairs of mourning doves that come eat the seed I put out for the birds. Ours bully the other birds but just wait till the blue jays come back. Then we’ll all be bullied…including me!
What beautiful pictures!! It’s so cold up here the birds aren’t spending much time where I can see them! ~Not that I blame them one bit!
Awesome photos!! ….. the 2nd dove one is absolutely beautiful!
I remember the first time I heard a mourning dove….. it was at Grandma K’s house out there in the country, not too far from you. I was about 10 or 12 then. It would coo over and over again. I was in their in their middle bedroom, and I had no idea what it was as I lay there in bed early in the morning, I’ve loved that sound ever since because of the memory it brings back.
CM
i am glad i found your blog again! i love your pictures! take care.
Beautiful. Doves just look like they are made to hold in your hands don’t they? So smooth and fat?
I think these are what we have at home. I am going to look for them and compare to your photos. I cannot believe you took those through the window!
Hah! I almost believed that you were slogging outside in the freezing arctic weather! Love the shots, though. So glad your tushie didn’t freeze off! That would be an interesting post!
Yeah, you had me too there, outside in the 10 degree weather and they were posing for you . . . but these are gorgeous shots!
BTW, I will get to that photo meme as soon as I can. I’m just crawling out from under my malaise this week. Trying to catch up on my favorite blogs.
Your photos inspire me. I was just thinking today that I should get out and use my camera.
Great shots! We get several pair here all year, and they’re definitely bullies. We had a sick one on the back porch late this summer and one of my boys brought it in. It didn’t make it. Very sad. They’re sweet little things, even if they do think they own the place.
Aw Flea – that is sad – rough on the kids when something dies. We had a little animal graveyard in our back yard.
Amy – glad to see you back again!
Karen – it is addicting, so be ready to get out there at the slightest provocation!
meredith – despite how amny we have, they don’t bully the other birds much. For one thing they can only eat from the ground because our feeder is a squirrel proof type and they are too heavy for it – maybe that keeps them humble?
beemoosie, Lori and Chris – so glad you enjoyed them & thanks!
Country Girl – no time limit on the meme – whenever you get to it and I can’t wait to see your pics for it!
What’s a bird? We don’t have trees here so I’m not sure if I remember what birds are or what they sound like. All we have are mountains and nipples. Unfortunately, I know what nipples look like, but if they make a sound, I’m outta here.
Love the dove pictures, they are beautiful!
Thank you for not getting frost bite on our account– these pics are gorgeous and I never would have known you weren’t standing right next to the doves.