About Me

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Recent retiree--35 year's experience teaching reading, English, adult basic education and volunteer leadership skills. Started this blog to exchange ideas and commentary with friends and others having an interest in joining the discussions. Greatest life accomplishments include: 1.organized my 3rd grade class to check out library books for me to get around librarian's weekly limit--Amazon.com, the Mullins Elementary 3rd Grade Class of 1956 is still waiting for "thank you" notes; 2. volunteered in the Peace Corps, island of St. Kitts, West Indies; 3.taught adults to read, earn their GEDs., and speak English as a second language; 4. bought a border collie puppy for $6, got evicted rather than give him up, and began a life-long love affair with all things "Dog"; 5. joined a physical fitness boot camp in my mid-50s--don't mess with someone who's been doing regulation pushups in wet grass at 5:30 a.m.; 6. walked across Northern England with best friend Sally--over 80 miles from the Irish to North Seas; and 7. travelled to many foreign countries for pleasure and work.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday - Mean Girls



click on images to enlarge

Who would think this sweet-faced mourning dove deserves to be called a "mean girl"?!  For sure, I didn't know until recently.  They have been visiting the yard for a while--since I started scattering feed for the ground foragers.  A lot visited, but they were very calm and non-aggressive.

Then last week, in preparations for the ice, snow and bitter temps we're experiencing right now, I set up this platform feeder and supplied it with some bird delites like peanuts and nutty suet.  Wow!  what a bunch of bullies--especially when a half dozen tried to crowd on the feeder at one time.  Lots of pecking and wing flapping going on.  So far, they've managed to intimidate a lot of the birds--and squirrels.  That is except for the tufted titmouse and blue jay.  Both of them can stand up to the mean girls! In the meantime, I'm cancelling the post titled "Peace Conference" that was planning. . .

Linking to: Wild Bird Wednesday .

11 comments:

mick said...

Great photos and I see a whole lot of aggression in my yard when birds try to monopolize food sources. Also - Spotted Turtle Doves (an introduced species) seem to have entirely displaced the Crested Pigeons.

eileeninmd said...

The Doves to seem to take over. I think their population has grown. They are pretty birds! Love the mosaic! Have a happy week!

Carletta said...

Fun post Faye!
My mean girls fuss with each other. I had one today sitting right on the middle of a small feeder - guess she was full and didn't want anyone else to grab a bite. The Blue Jays chase them away though.
Nice you've gotten into the bird watching. :)

Brian King said...

Great shots! The doves here don't really cause much trouble. They peck around on the ground and usually mind their business.

Karen said...

A great collage! The Doves in my yard actually fly to the hanging feeders and monopolize them!

Unknown said...

Beautiful shots of the pretty doves.

Jan n Jer said...

Survival of the fittest!!!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Here, it's the Blue jays that are mean???our Doves co-exist with the little ones and squirrels...:)JP

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Faye Isupppose that is life in nature. My Doves are lovely and gentle.

Stewart M said...

Never get between a dove and a free feed!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

NatureFootstep said...

I can´t help but smile. The story and images is quite amusing. :)