A Dove Tale

When we arrived to uncover our sailboat this spring we found squatters had set up housekeeping on a very small ledge of our cradle. A dove pair were taking turns warming two perfect eggs. Waiting for gestation to be complete would delay our already late start to the sailing season. Foul weather had put the launching of boats three weeks behind. We were eager to be in the water but would have to get in line. This influenced our decision to wait on the eggs. The way we saw it, those doves had chosen us. 

Papa Dove sitting on the nest

Two perfect eggs

Interesting spot to set up housekeeping

We returned to our land home and worked on house projects while we waited for our dove babies to arrive. Research told us that gestation is 2 weeks with another 2 weeks of feeding to fledge. We didn't know, for sure, when the process began but thought we'd have babies when we got back in a week. Upon our return, we could see one egg under the parent but no baby doves. We peeked in that nest several times a day searching for a baby. Finally, I thought I saw a short tail coming out from under the adult. Indeed there was one baby in our nest. Later we'd learn that the second egg wasn't viable.

A tiny tail is peeking out from
under the right side of the adult dove

Parent spreads out to cover the baby

Baby tucked under a protective wing

We painted the bottom or our boat around the nest

At times our little charge was completely out from under the safety of the adult. We gawked at her downy baby feathers and took photos. We watched her get fat and evolve all week. Her flight feathers were coming in nicely. The parents fed her regurgitated seeds, a fascinating process to witness! 

Parent feeding baby

Yummy processed seeds

Baby is quite demanding

Cuddling after the meal

As the week passed, there wasn't a lot of room for everyone on that ledge anymore but the parents continued to take turns on watch. Eventually, they began leaving their youngster on her own for extended periods. They would sit on the ground and call out, trying to encourage her to fly. She was having none of that and demanded that they feed her on every visit.

Parents leave baby alone often

Big baby sits next to parent

Watching the world pass by

Getting bigger every day

It was finally our turn to launch. Our baby would have to fledge or be re-homed. I made a new nest out of mowed grass placed in a cement planter nearby. It was far more sophisticated than the doves modest abode on the ledge. We'd added a 2×4 roof to the back of the planter for shelter from the sun.

She liked to sit on the other egg

She's looking strong but still won't fledge

On Friday morning, as the marina yard awakened to the noise of the harbor hoist, Dave delicately laid a soft towel over our dove baby. He gently carried her to her new home. She didn't like the move at all and reacted by flying out of the new nest and away from us. We were thrilled to see that she could actually fly but then devastated to watch her crash land in the middle of our river canal. We couldn't reach her but mom and dad were screeching loudly, "FLY BABY, FLY!"

Suddenly our fledgling took flight again and crashed in the water within reach of Dave. He snatched her up and returned her to the planter. We breathed a deep sigh of relief that all our patience hadn't ended in tragedy. As we worked all morning to get S/V Mystic launched, I checked on our baby often. She was catching her breath in the comfort of her new home. After about four hours, she was gone.

There are hundreds of doves in Marinette. Our baby is going to blend in quite quickly! We'll never know what became of our fledgling but we gave her the best chance for survival. For that, we are at peace. We feel great about our decision to let the dove family nest before launching Mystic. It just seemed like the right thing to do. Our friend Mary Miles told us, "You two are good eggs!"

Mystic in her slip at NestEgg Marine