The Horse's Flight School is back in business!

@TheHorse (238314)
Walnut Creek, California
June 9, 2016 9:52pm CST
Last Spring, I wrote on "the site that will not be named" about how two different juvenile doves had taken residence on my balcony at different times. Their father would come, feed them, and then "teach" them to fly. Today I awoke to a smallish dove on the railing right in front of the window above my desk. He flew to my balcony, where he was met by another dove. They spent some time preening each other, then got fluffy and relaxed (shown), and finally flew off. At first I was sure that the smaller dove was a juvenile, and that flight school had recommenced. But it's possible that this was a couple. I'll keep my eyes open over the next few days.
18 people like this
15 responses
Reine25
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
10 Jun 16
The two birds.seem to be discussing on tips how to start a "flight"
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
Or they may be discussing their next romantic encounter. I can't tell.
2 people like this
DE
@DaddyEvil (174482)
• United States
11 Jun 16
@Lucky15 I'm sure his bed looks more comfortable than the balcony railing to them, too! Just scootch over a bit, pony! They won't take up MUCH room! (Just pretend to be asleep if they start getting romantic beside you! And have the courtesy to keep your eyes closed, too, @TheHorse !)
1 person likes this
Reine25
@Lucky15 (37391)
• Philippines
10 Jun 16
@TheHorse or...how to get inside your house
1 person likes this
ARM
@responsiveme (22923)
• India
10 Jun 16
Beautiful photo.Do keep us updated about the doves.If they are a couple they may be wanting to build a nest. A couple of doves built one in a flowerpot in my neighbour's balcony. We saw the eggs and the young ones hatching too. Then as you say,"the flight school started" and they flew away. My neighbour used to place an umbrella over the pot when there was a heavy downpour.
2 people like this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
That's exactly our situation. They nest in a neigbor's flower pot. Sometimes the hawks or raccoons get the babies. But some survive and come over to my balcony for flight school.
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
11 Jun 16
We have 365 days out here..lol. But I guess your climate does not allow ..lol
1 person likes this
vanny
@vandana7 (102698)
• India
12 Jun 16
@TheHorse You got me there..lol..365 days of those flight schools..
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Jun 16
365 days of...
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
12 Jun 16
Sometimes the babies come back the following year with their spouses, we are getting quite the crop of swallows for that reason
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
13 Jun 16
@TheHorse same here I just have a feeling.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
12 Jun 16
That's pretty cool. It's hard for me to tell whether the doves that visit me and my neighbor are last year's babies or not. But I'm glad they're here.
1 person likes this
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Jun 16
I had doves that returned each year and did the same as yours. Do yours nest on your balcony too? If you can stand a little mess, put up a hanging basket, and you might get twins.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
That's what my neighbor has done. Her balcony served as a nesting ground. And mine served as boarding school/flight school for juveniles. And occasional no-tell motel room.
1 person likes this
ElizabethWallace
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Jun 16
@TheHorse Love that, no-tell motel. I didn't see any of that. Guess they don't you-know-what where they raise their young.
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43602)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jun 16
How cool. I haven't seen any sort of dove since I moved back down here from Denver.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
Are there doves in the area? We have a lot of them in California.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43602)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jun 16
@TheHorse - My ex-girlfriend and I had a couple Morning Doves that hung out in our backyard.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
@teamfreak16 Do you think they stay in Denver for the Winter? I have NO clue whether some doves "migrate."
1 person likes this
Go Crossbones
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
10 Jun 16
Sounds like the best flight instructors on the planet. How much do they charge?
1 person likes this
Go Crossbones
@crossbones27 (52905)
• Mojave, California
10 Jun 16
@TheHorse That is OK. I will just bring my own food. lol
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
So far as I can tell, it's free. But they do look rather forceful when they mouth feed their babies.
1 person likes this
angel_smiles
@Lolaze (5092)
• St. Louis, Missouri
10 Jun 16
To me, it looks like a couple.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
I think you're right. I'll report back if I see them again.
1 person likes this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (148734)
• Roseburg, Oregon
10 Jun 16
That is so cute when birds teach their young to fly.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 16
It really is. I enjoyed watching them from my bedroom when I was a kid.
Jabo
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 16
I suppose if they come back you may be able to establish their relationship to each other.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 16
I haven't seen them yet today.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
10 Jun 16
Birds are fascinating to watch.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 16
I've always enjoyed watching them. Did the same from my bedroom window in Chicago. Lots of robins and cardinals there.
Shannon
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
10 Jun 16
I love it when birds land on my deck and I'm able to watch them. One morning I found a bird I didn't recognize resting on the rail of the deck. I later found out it was a Common Nighthawk.
1 person likes this
Shannon
@fawkes62 (1276)
• United States
10 Jun 16
@TheHorse It was fairly large for a bird in town, but we get some black birds or crows (not sure on the difference) that are larger than it was.
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
Nighthawk? Are they pretty large?
1 person likes this
James Higgins
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Jun 16
It is very nice of you to provide a place for courtship for them.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
11 Jun 16
I prefer "Flight School" to "No-Tell Motel." But hey, whatever works for them.
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Jun 16
It's a good thing they didn't know you were watching them or it might be another case of the bird police coming after you.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
The last thing I need is more jail time. They WERE aware of my presence.
1 person likes this
Valerie J. Routhieaux
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Jun 16
@TheHorse Oh that's excellent, so maybe you were watching their form and making sure they didn't make any mistakes with takeoff. It's always good to have backup.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 16
If it's a couple, maybe you should keep your eyes closed!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (238314)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 Jun 16
True. I don't want to get in trouble again.
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