Well, our birdwatching gave us a lesson in Backyard Biology. I set out a new feeder to capture birds at a different angle. Instead, we caught a glimpse of two mourning doves mating on my back deck.

Here in Northern Virginia, mourning doves visit our bird feeders every day, all year round. They often travel in pairs. Once they find each other, they typically mate for life. The adult males can be identified by the bright, iridescent feathers on the sides of their necks. In this light, they look yellow, pinkish-purple and blue.