Lost Love Found

I am not a mom, but to animals I am quite an advocate. I have rescued many wild animals that were in a pinch and quite successfully.

So my confidence was telling me to spring into action.

My common sense was saying don't interfere in nature unless it is absolutely necessary.

My heart said, "oh he has to be hungry"

So I fed him.

I have birds, so I shared some bird seed. He loved it.

He ate and ate. He seemed hungry. Where was his mother?

Another look at him eating. He really had an appetite, See how focused he is.

My heart was melting. If the mother didn't show up pretty soon, I knew I was adopting him and would give it ago to protect this baby. I was very concerned.

I really got nervous at this point. He stood up was stretching himself out, craning his neck like he was looking at something.

There was nothing there. Was he going to leave? He is too small!

You should have seen me, I was plastered up against the window, snapping pictures like a crazed person.

What was going on?

I was never so happy or relieved!

It was as if though the weight of responsibility had been lifted off my shoulders.

But now I was so enthralled in the story I couldn't remove myself no matter what.

I had to know, what was going on and how was it going to end?

For the longest time Mama just stood silently. She never moved. She just listened and listened.

I assume she was making sure no predators were around.

The baby was like a statue.

I left this picture in even though it is a bit out of focus, because it is the only one of the mother trying to coax Baby toward the edge of the deck. (the other pictures were much worse)

She worked and worked to get that baby to move closer to the edge.

It was very clear communication, she would warble and coo to the Baby and nuzzle to get it to move, It took forever but she finally got him to move toward the edge

Then she jumped off!

I couldn't get these pictures because of my angle and the plant being in the way and I couldn't take the chance of missing the story. So I'll just tell it.

She flew back up after several minutes of calling to the baby to fly down.

No Way! Would that baby fly. It just stood on the edge and looked down and waited for Mama to return.

Over and over and over and the baby would not fly.

Baby decided to take matters into his own hands...err...feet?

After several minutes of the baby being coaxed to fly, it was obvious the baby was frustrated. It begin to move around in circles and go back and forth from the edge back to where the seed was.

What was it to do?

The next thing you know, the Baby walked right over to the deck stairs and jumped down them one at a time.

It was so clear. "if you want me down there so badly, I'll do it my way"

So down he went, until he got to the bottom step, then he sat there for ever and ever. Not moving, not changing positions, not talking, just sitting.

And by now, Dad has arrived!

It was a good half an hour that he sat on that bottom step.

Mama and Daddy Mourning Dove circled and talked and chirped and coaxed and he would not move. He would not fly and he would not come down off that step.

Finally Mama and Daddy Dove began moving off the deck toward the stone patio.

Leaving the baby behind on that step.

"WAIT! Don't leave Me!"

That did it! He couldn't take it! He jumped off the step and ran after his parents and made it to the stone patio with them

What a relief!!

But he still had not flown...

I am now a little worried again, they are out away from the deck. There are cats and hawks and even oppossums that may think a baby bird would make a great lunch.

Oh don't stay there long!

The Adult birds are making a circle around the baby. But that is not enough!

Come on guys! Get that baby flying!

Daddy Dove took the lead and began walking away, Mama Dove was right behind him without hesitation.

This had worked to get him off the step! it was so obvious, the communication going on here.

It worked! The baby didn't hesitate, he began following along right away.

They walked around in circles on the stone patio for several turns. It was very amusing to see this little circus going on. The baby kept up, stayed right with them.

They walked and walked. Circled and circled.

Then they circled around again for a little rest. But you could tell something was about to happen.

The air was tense, I KNEW something was about to happen.

Yes he did! he flew with his parents right up to the deck again, and the baby landed right on my planter box of flowers.

He seemed as surprised as I was. He looked great.

The parents were very excited, there was a lot of talking going on.

The baby was talking too. He just sat on his little perch and surveyed his surroundings.

I am sure he was accepting congratulations from his parents.

It was quite the moment.

Baby is now a flying maniac!

He just jumped right off his perch and flew right up to the tree just beyond the deck. Daddy flew with him.

I couldn't get a shot of that, it happened too quick.

Success is sweet!

It's true this whole story is true, It happened just as I said.

The whole thing from beginning to end lasted about 2 hours.

I stayed for every scene. I was infatuated. Nothing was going to get me to leave. It was fascinating.

I had the best time.

I did the best I could with the pictues. I would get excited and forget to snap. But I hope my story telling has filled in the blanks.

It was a wonderful afternoon on a beautiful spring day, when I first hand witnessed a beautiful story of the miracle of nature and a lost love found.

Deborah Bryan aka GypsyOwl created a fantastic site to help give Squidoo Lensmaster's additional recognition for their work. She has several GypsyOwl Angels floating around that drops in on different pages and if they see a page that really captures their attention, they are able to feature it on Lens Sightings. You can grab a badge and post it on your page so your guest can see what you have accomplished.