Ring Neck Doves Photo Diary DAY 18

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DAY 18   APRIL 28  2011

A very busy time, and Mom is in a bossy mood.

 About 11:00 am.  

Mom is trying to pull out a long piece of timothy hay 

to add to her nest, but it won't come.

 Dad is sitting on the nest, quite happily.

Mom is still pulling on the hay stem.

 Nope, she won't give up.

 I finally broke off the stem of hay so she could carry it to the nest, 

where she carefully installed it.

Now she is making her way around to the 

other side of the nest and Dad,

 all concerned with the newly laid eggs.

 Trying to see how to wiggle her way into the nest.

So she settles in beside Dad and starts to push him over, 

to get at the eggs.

Looks like she is succeeding in the takeover bid.

 Yep, pulling the eggs in under herself.

 Hmm.  What does Dad think about this?

 Looks like he isn't going to argue about it.

 Single-minded Mama.

 Off Dad goes.

Getting settled.
At laying time the parents are more concerned over the new nest; the female may sit during the day as well at night
and the same goes for the male.

 

 Now Dad is being chased by the half-grown babies 

for more feeding.

They shake and flap their wings and make high pitched 

squeaks to ask for food; 

as they get older they chase the parents around to get more food.

 First one....

.....then two together.

Dad is feeling a little bit harassed 

and no where to go to chill out.

Mom chased him off the nest where he was sitting so peacefully, 

and the half-grown babies are chasing him to be fed. 

 The younger pair with feathers filling out more.

 Still napping often.

 The parents of the younger pair, already working on another nest.
The younger babies were hatched April 15 and 16.
Nesting will take place more frequently 
in the spring especially and the summer 
as the laying of the eggs is stimulated by light - 
that is, the lengthening daylight hours.