Not funny at all!

One of the little pleasures of the past few weeks has been sharing my world with a Morning Dove sitting on eggs just outside my bedroom window. I saw her and her partner building the nest before my eyes, although I didn't recognize it for what it was. It clicked in after a bit when I spotted her (I apologize if this is unwarranted sexual stereotyping but assume that she who lays the eggs also sits on them) and inferred that the occupant of the nest was a she. I was delighted to discover my new companion. Things can be pretty slow in the days of CoronoV.

I resolved to do some serious social distancing and stay out of that part of the yard until the hatching took place. Being able to peep out the window several times a day was more than sufficient. It has been cold and windy but she endured, tucked on top of the nest. There was no sign of an attentive partner bringing food. It appears she was on her own for what I have learned is 10 to 12 days.

Today, as soon as I got up I went to the window and she was gone. I stretched to peer into the nest anticipating a couple of scrawny newbies but saw nothing. A little later I saw the two eggs on the ground and realized what must have happened. There are competitors in my very urban yard. We have rats of course, but also raccoons, possums, squirrels and on one occasion even a skunk. All I can figure is that one of these creatures must have found her during the night and it was game over. I am really pissed.