What's hiding in the winter landscape?
There is a certain calmness that the winter landscape provides in Georgia with the warm tones and soft neutrals of the leaf palette. It creates a harmonious mood that is easy to embrace.
Looking out the window today to observe the garden, I spotted some movement in the landscape. At first it was difficult to make out, but once my eyes focused on one of the birds it became very clear.
The muted tones of the mourning dove blend well with the brown hues of the assorted leaves. Their camouflage grants them protection in open ground, where they often fall prey to hawks.
Snuggled in the leaves under the additional protection of a chokeberry shrub, where shadows created patterns that could confused predators, the doves were still. Feeling confident, they soaked in the sun to warm up on this cold winter day. The occassional flutter of a wing or fluffing of the feathers created just enough movement to catch the eye.
It's these simple observations that make me feel connected to the outdoors; especially on cold days when I don't wander the garden. Do you find connections with your garden in every season?
Looking out the window today to observe the garden, I spotted some movement in the landscape. At first it was difficult to make out, but once my eyes focused on one of the birds it became very clear.
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| How many doves do you see? |
Snuggled in the leaves under the additional protection of a chokeberry shrub, where shadows created patterns that could confused predators, the doves were still. Feeling confident, they soaked in the sun to warm up on this cold winter day. The occassional flutter of a wing or fluffing of the feathers created just enough movement to catch the eye.
It's these simple observations that make me feel connected to the outdoors; especially on cold days when I don't wander the garden. Do you find connections with your garden in every season?
I marvel at the ability of birds and mammals to blend into the landscape in the blink of an eye. We see turkeys along the road, then they vanish as they make their way through the tall grasses into the woods. Deer also blend in to their surroundings so quickly, hard to believe such a large animal will disappear so easily.
ReplyDeleteI love being outside every day, there is always something to see.
It is incredible how well they can camouflage themselves. It really takes a trained eye to spot them.
DeleteThey really do blend in well, don't they? We have quite a few of them here in the spring, summer, and fall. I miss them in the winter. Lovely post, Karin.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. They are here year round. It would be odd not seeing them waddle around in winter.
DeleteWe've got mourning doves as well. We see them every day, along with the juncos, goldfinches, woodpeckers, etc. But more at the feeders, I don't see them so often camouflaged like your little friend.
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