Ubiquitous Birds: Mourning Doves

After loadng up our backyard bird feeders last week during the initial spring thaw (that was promptly followed by another freeze) I have been anxiously awaiting the return of any aviary activity. Upon arriving home from work today, I noticed that my wife had brought out the binoculars, a positive sign that could only mean that something was going on in the backyard.

It helps to listen for the song of the Mourning Dove as they blend into the bleak spring dusk.
Looking outside into the yard, I noticed a Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) picking away at the seed that had fallen to the ground beneath the hanging cylindrical feeder. After retrieving my camera, I made my way outside and observed that the Mourning Dove had moved to the low hanging wires running along our back fence and had been joined by a friend.

Clearly used to city livin', it proved little challenge even for a lumbering
oaf like me, to "sneak" up for a closer shot.
Hopefully this welcome return of the ubiquitous Mourning Doe is a precursor of exciting things to come!