Mourning Doves

I drove into town this morning to take a few pictures of downtown Ada (not much more than four corners) but found these visitors when I returned.

The birds are about 12 inches in length and are too big to be able to feed from any of our feeders but one. They are usually found on the ground beneath the feeders. The name comes from the sad sound of its call and it also has a distinctive sound made when flying away. The birds usually mate for life.

In 2004, the State of Michigan passed an act listing these doves as game and permitting an open hunting season. The outcry was immediate and in 2005, a petition was filed for a referendum on the act that would require a majority vote of the people to approve the act. The referendum came to a vote in 2006 and the act was resoundingly defeated. Sometimes we get something right.

"Hey, where are you going?"