Doves are such loves!

All my garden birds are favorites, but these Mourning doves are extra special.

Quiet, refined, gentle, mate for life, roughly 7-10 years. 

They share two weeks of incubation duties (usually two eggs) - female at night, 

male during the day, then for two more weeks they both feed the fledglings.

Mourning dove : Zenaida macroura

Yesterday -

I have four bird baths - this pair of doves often sit on this particular one

 for long periods - perhaps they like sharing with the little statue, or

the camellia bush for privacy.

This past week I sent Bob to Home Depot to purchase 'mosquito dunks' for my birth baths.  

First time I've used them but as they are apparently harmless to birds and wildlife, 

other than killing mosquito larvae, I'm going to try them in hopes of keeping the

 mosquito numbers down in the garden.

After that one season (2018) of the garden being sprayed by

 professionals every 3 weeks, and noticing a huge decline in 

mosquitoes. . . . . . . .but no bees or butterflies, I cannot do that again. 

It's a really tough time dealing with the flying biters who enjoy feeding on me, 

and making summertime really miserable when I'm outdoors, but we so need

 to protect our bees and butterflies.

To think I spent so much time in African countries and was never bitten by

 a mosquito. . . . . .but am bitten as soon as I walk out my door here!

Anyone used the dunks?

Please let me know if they helped and lowered your mosquito population.

. . . . . . . and now there's the new flying insect to arrive - so far just in the Northwest 

of the US - the deadly, huge, horrible Asian Murder Hornet. 

As much as I love Washington State, and have often thought of relocating there, 

I'm going to stay put and take my chances with the mosquitoes.

Enough said!!!!!!