Tag Archives: mourning doves

A mourning dove skimming the treetops...

By Dave Bonta | Published April 2, 2011 at 11:40 am

A mourning dove skimming the treetops flies off toward the northeast, the whistle of its wingbeats like something from the age of steam.

6 Comments

After last night’s rain, the...

By Dave Bonta | Published January 19, 2011 at 9:10 am

After last night’s rain, the snow fits each dip and hummock more tightly, like a garment shrunk in the wash. The creaking of doves’ wings.

Also tagged , 4 Comments

Feathery contrails outline a wedge...

By Dave Bonta | Published December 29, 2010 at 8:21 am

Feathery contrails outline a wedge of blue. On a high branch, three mourning doves sit facing the sunrise. The middle one preens its wings.

Also tagged , 4 Comments

So clear, even the mourning dove sounds...

By Dave Bonta | Published May 20, 2010 at 8:33 am

So clear, even the mourning dove sounds joyful. Muffled thuds of a pileated in a dead tree, knocking—as Rumi would say—from the inside.

Also tagged 2 Comments

A shimmer so fine it takes me five...

By Dave Bonta | Published January 1, 2010 at 10:30 am

A shimmer so fine it takes me five minutes to ascertain that it is snow, not rain. Dove wings whistle and a raven croaks: no dry land here!

Also tagged Comments Off

Quarry noise. What good are holidays...

By Dave Bonta | Published December 24, 2009 at 9:05 am

Quarry noise. What good are holidays if we can’t at least have some quiet? I concentrate on the dove wings’ one-note flutes, imagine angels.

Also tagged Comments Off

A screech owl adds its quaver to the...

By Dave Bonta | Published December 22, 2009 at 8:03 am

A screech owl adds its quaver to the minimal dawn chorus: mourning dove coos, finch and sparrow chirps. Snow and highway noise on the wind.

Also tagged , Comments Off

Sunday morning rain is different; it...

By Dave Bonta | Published August 2, 2009 at 7:53 am

Sunday morning rain is different; it’s quieter. The distant rumble I take at first for traffic on the interstate turns out to be thunder.

Also tagged Comments Off

Here in the clouds, one mourning dove...

By Dave Bonta | Published March 29, 2009 at 8:47 am

Here in the clouds, one mourning dove has added an extra note to the beginning of his song, turning a dirge into a slow dance tune.

 

Comments Off

Right after a mourning dove’s...

By Dave Bonta | Published March 4, 2009 at 9:56 am

Right after a mourning dove’s song, a screech owl trills at the very same pitch. The sun floats free of the horizon and into the bluest sky.

Also tagged , Comments Off