A few weeks back, a mourning dove nested in a hanging basket at the doorway of our well-traveled mudroom. We have taken great care not to threaten the nest, and our courtesy has paid off. We have a front row view of the nest - watching the nestlings grow into fledglings, soon to fly away.
Birds are a wonder of nature. They are beauty and grace in motion. Humans have always looked at birds through their own eyes or through binoculars with a sense of awe and wonder. In ancient Roman times, they were thought to be omens. It was believed that their flight patterns and calls were actually foretelling the future. Even today, scientists look to birds for the answers to questions. Their patterns of flight and changes in their numbers can be a signal of important environmental changes. It is no wonder then, that bird watching has been a pastime that has sustained in popularity through the ages.