Empty Nest
08.10.2011 
Around here, it's not just a syndrome.
The baby doves we've been watching in our neighbors' window box successfully fledged, and are gone from the nest, along with their parents, although we spotted the scissor-billed mom yesterday wandering around on the zinc roof a couple of floors above the nest, as if she was visiting an old homestead from a discreet distance.
This was one of their many feedings on August 1st. Note that both have full juvenile plumage (putting a wing around mom just to try it out), and are slowly losing all of their golden down.
And this is the last picture we have, on August 3rd, just before they took off to be adult Parisians. We had asked them when they were born what we should name them, and they replied that they didn't want to be named, because having names would only increase the grief when they left.
birds, doves, family, twins in Paris Life
Reader Comments (14)
Richard, Your photos throughout your Paris Play journal are spectacular! I would've loved to hear the PPLAC judges comments in a competition... Best regards, Rita
Sweet tweet!
Dear Kaaren and Richard:
This odd thing just happened. A white dove appeared on my truck. She was curious, healthy and clearly interested in hanging out. Now, an hour after our initial encounter, the dove is in my room playing amongst my books as I post on your blog. My invitation to her was nuts and corn ships. First she walked through my front door, then into my office. Then I turned on my computer. And when I opened my computer my first email was Paris Play and the Empty Nest. Your little ones have left the nest. My dove is now making dove sounds as she peeks down at me. What now? I want to be in Paris having coffee with the both of you. Love Jon
Rita! Thank you. I presume Jim is winning many of the PPLAC competitions by now. His work is wonderful.
--Richard (and Kaaren)
Anner!
The wing around mom: kind of like you and Kari, right?
Love you,
Kaaren & Richard
Jon!
I had the same eerie sense of synchronicity on opening your e-mail with the picture of your dove, ONE MINUTE after we posted "Empty Nest." Earlier today I was walking along Avenue d'Italie and sending you birthday wishes. Maybe the white dove was that wish. And I'm glad you gave her nuts and corn ships, though I can't imagine how you make a boat out of corn! Okay, okay, a typo--I know. I think that dove is a year--at least--of peace for you.
Follow your desires and get tickets for you and Patrice as soon as an island of time opens up. The coffee isn't as good here, but the outdoor cafes are better.
Keep writing those great stories, Jon. And happy birthday!
Much love,
Kaaren (& Richard)
God, your photographs are great. Always.
Wiley:
Thank you. You are very gracious.
--Richard
I love the last line, Kaaren. It's so interesting to witness the constant connection you have with birds -- and that it is pouring out and touching other people's lives (Jon). What a strange thing it is to look at an empty nest when you've also seen it so lovingly inhabited. It's so great to be included in intimate details -- thank you for part II of this story. Perhaps another bird will take over the nest? I've heard of that happening but I'm not sure if it does with doves.
Dear Jennifer,
The last line came straight out of Richard's mouth. We both have a deep love of birds.
Isn't that amazing that a white dove flew in Jon's window, and he and Patrice adopted it? Didn't it happen the day before his birthday? Now there's a story!
We'll watch the nest and keep you posted. Maybe a hawk will land there next.
Love,
Kaaren & Richard
Richard,
Were you ALWAYS a photographer? A photo-poet? It sure seems as if! Beautiful photo story. Kaaren, I love that last line, "...they replied they didn't want to be named, because having names would only increase the grief when they left." What if we could come into this world only to give, to love, but without the attachments that come with name, with self-identity, with self-preservation, with ego?
Love you guys!
Cassandra
Hi, Sand!
I did some photojournalism in the seventies, but gave it up when I stopped being able to have a darkroom in my apartment.
I started again in 2009, when I discovered that digital darkrooms were so convenient, and have been learning/relearning ever since. Paris is such a wonderful playground.
Love without attachment. I think there are some spiritual practices that teach that concept. Maybe I can accomplish that in my next lifetime.
Hugs from us,
Richard (and Kaaren)
What a delightful gift to witness the whole process from the first twig to solo free-form flight. It's always bitter sweet to see the kids go. No audible cooing would be a loss as would no longer having the excitement of seeing day-by-day changes from nest building, egg to down to fully feathered wings and "mom" feeding the hungry mouths, sustaining life. Loss and new beginnings.
Now what for the empty nest?
Love,
Joanne
Dear Joanne,
We did think there'd be a sequel, when two doves landed in the LEFT side of that geranium bed, a week or so after the family had flown. We weren't sure if they were the teenagers coming back to see their childhood home, or a new pair of doves checking it out as a possible place to nest. They weren't the original parents, you could tell by the absence of Mom's scissor-bill. And then they were gone.
Thank you for your appreciation. As nourishing to us as a mother dove with her chicks.
Love,
Kaaren & Richard