I grew up in a family of birders. I learned all about what came to the feeder, and why, from a very young age. And I have missed having that in my life.

So when I ended up poking through the dollar store for mailing stuff, and finding hanging birdfeeders - well, I came home with more birdfeeders and less mailing stuff. I figured not only would I get to see more birds, it’d be like TV for my indoor cats.

A rousing success, all around. Pesky squirrels aside, we have perky sparrows and chickadees, goldfinches, the occasional blue jay, robins, and grackles - the usual sort of urban mix. I hope to see more as time goes on.

But the best part is the mourning doves. I tend to scatter seed on the ground as well, and it’s what attracts the grackle harems - but the doves have come, too. They’re a mated pair, and they sit on my fence or in the yard, calmly inhabiting, or singing out their soft sighing calls. I’m glad they’re here, because it makes me feel as if Aphrodite is happy to be here as well, and that I tend her shrine to her satisfaction.

While I was trying to get a picture of the doves (just the female was there when i had the camera out), a bold male grackle tried to photobomb me. So he’s there, too.