She was hurt and he stayed near her until she was well enough to travel. They stayed on my front porch for about a week. They became my friends. I named them Fred and Ethel.
Fred and Ethel
I saw the two birds sitting on the front porch near each other on Saturday morning when I went out on the porch. They didn’t fly away. The one crept closer to the other one, then cocked his head as if to see what I was going to do. I just stood there watching. He edged closer to her, and neither one flew away. Then he suddenly flew away, She stayed on the floor.
I went back in, and later, watched through the window as he flew back, and I could see she appeared to be hurt - as one leg was stretched out beside her. I got some birdseed and went back on the porch. They were still there. I slowly walked toward them and bent down to put the handful of seed by them. Suddenly he flew away but she stayed there. Then she slowly lifted her wings and started flying slowly toward the tree in the yard. I was relieved because I knew she was okay. I think I am going to call them Fred and Ethel.
Later in the day, I looked out the window and they were both there again, and Fred was lying near her, with his body and his head leaning on her feathers. How sweet - I was thinking. He is protecting her. They are snuggling together. I had tears in my eyes as I watched.
The next day I put a saucer of water out there on the porch. And they stayed all that day. When I went out on the porch they didn’t fly away.
That was three days ago. They are still on the porch sitting near each other. I have been feeding and putting water on the porch. They are eating and drinking and occasionally have company to dinner as see a few birds eating there with them. But Fred is always hovering near Ethel, as if protecting her.
Now I wonder. Are they courting? Or was she just hurt? Is she about to lay eggs? Where is her nest? I look out the window occasionally during the day, and there they sit together snuggled up. Waiting, waiting for what? For her to get well, and fly away for good? Waiting for her to lay eggs? Is he her husband, or brother, or is she the nurturing one that is taking care of her husband? How do you tell a female bird from the male, if they both look alike? Or maybe they are sisters, or brothers? I always think God sends us signs so I ask him what the sign means. But I do know birds are much like humans, who need someone to take care of them when they are lonely and hurt. To snuggle next to them when the darkness comes.
It's been nearly a week, since I wrote about the two doves on our front porch. One seemed to be crippled and the other was caring for it, as he snuggled by her laying his head on her feathers. I put some birdseed and water out for them.
Daily they came back and ate and drank and rested near each other. Every day when I went on the porch, they just sat there looking at me, waiting as I watched. They slowly flew away. But they always came back. Some evenings at dusk I peered out the blinds and there they were snuggling together on the porch under a wicker rocker.
Some times they brought friends with them for dinner. When those friends flew away, the two doves remained close to each other.
This morning they are still there on the porch. I guess they feel like this is their home, or maybe a vacation spot? They are so cute. I feel as if I know them personally. Ethel is doing quite well, after her accident. She is no longer crippled. That is because she had Fred to keep her company and help her and to not feel alone. We as human beings want that too, someone to hover over us and snuggle close when we feel alone.
Love the title! Thought of "Lucy!"
Love exists on many levels. If the human race would take some clues from God's creatures, this earth would be a much better place. Thanks Fred and Ethel.
You have great powers of observation if you determine that the one dove seemed to be hurt. We have lots of white winged doves, and some morning and Inca doves that frequent our bird feeder and birdbaths for a drink. They mate for life and are very close while feeding and resting. Males are usually slightly larger than the females. They nest in the trees in front of the houses on my street. Unlike other birds, they are very slow to fly away. Sometimes, they hit my windows in the back of the yard, but rarely seem to be severely hurt even though they hit quite hard, probably thinking their reflection is another bird. I only recall one time when one died, and that was a few years ago.
You made a lovely love story out of these two love birds, Fred and Ethel.
A passionate and poignant memoir written by a woman whose life has been guided by the words: "I am here to learn how to love well." The book is a deep examination of relationships, family, motivation, and honoring of the Self.
(Richard M. Feldman) Ever since I was a young boy, the only thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. I wanted to own and work on a real ranch, with cattle and horses. Especially horses.
While I never became a cowboy, considering everything I have done
Fred and Ethel
