A Beautiful Guest in our Balcony
On 26-27 February, in one of the potted ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifoliaon) on our bedroom balcony, a bird's nest was noticed. The next day we saw an egg in it and the day after there was another egg. And now a Zebra Dove was sitting on the eggs. Bird would fly away as soon as we went close to the nest, but soon it got used to us and would continue sitting on eggs unless we went too close. We waited patiently, along with the dove, for the eggs to hatch. I learnt from the internet that the incubation period for most of the doves is 13-18 days. On 14 February 2020, we saw the two chicks for the first time. They looked a bit older and I recon they were 2-3 days old! They continued growing fast and it was evident from the whole veranda covered with their round poo balls. Yesterday morning the chicks were without mother in the nest but looked grown up, all covered with fine shapely feathers and I did not miss the opportunity to photograph them. In the evening I went to see them again and this time the mother was sitting on them. I took a picture and wanted to take a closer view and that disturbed them and the mother flew. Lo and behold the chicks followed. The flight seemed quite mature and they disappeared in one of the trees nearby. Empty nest was still there next morning but no occupants. A fascinating experience to be remembered. The beautiful world is still there! |