Come meet our latest visitor.

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I always reserve Fridays for squirrel posts, but not this time.
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He waits for us at 5pm every day, and over time got used to us.

It is a little Laughing Dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) and he is called a laughing dove due to his call sounding like a subdued laugh. We have a mutual understanding, he doesn't come into the house, and I will feed him next to our garage door. It seems to work thus far, and a pleasant surprise was that his partner also came to eat a few times. She is very timid and the bigger ringneck doves scare her off. So, she rushes in, grabs a bit of food, and then flies off again. But not this little guy. Instead, he chases the ringneck doves around, even though they are double his size. Small and cheeky is what he is.

He is not scared of my camera anymore, and now rather poses for it.
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Yeah, yeah, just a few shots more and then you will get your food.
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Sadly, this is the last shot I got of him on the flowerpot, as then he popped down and my wife had to sprinkle some food out for him.
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Oh yeah, he is very happy with the food.
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Finally he ate, and then, as usual, he was gone until tomorrow at 5pm.
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In the meantime, as I sat down in the study, ...
Look what popped up under the study window.

Hey! Squirry said, not fair, as I have my beauty make up on for the Friday photo shoot, and I demand a pose for your camera.
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Never think that animals are not intelligent, as they have a way here in our garden of watching things. For instance, the ringneck doves know that the little laughing doves come to eat here every day at a certain time, and they continue to try and gatecrash his dining experience every day. So, I have to keep a close eye, as a few times in the past they bullied the little one. But now, whenever they approach, I merely have to lift my finger, and they back off.

I have a way to work with animals, and it always stands me in good stead. No fear, and just calm and slow movements make for a solid foundation to build up their trust.
Such is life.

We hope that everyone will have a good Friday and a great weekend.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures and the story.

Photos by Zac Smith. All-Rights-Reserved.

Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.

Thank you kindly for supporting this post.

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14 comments
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I already was about to get angry about not seeing a Squirrel, but there it was! Beautiful little bugger.

Really cool how you become friends with all those animals. And thank you for sharing!

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I must have been thinking of you when I added the squirrel, and don't worry, as the squirrels will be back next Friday :)
Well, the answer is that we like the animals, and they also like us. It's all a matter of mutual trust.
!BEER

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Thank you :-) Always happy to see those creatures.

!BBH

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What a beautiful turtledove! Today I was looking at two turtledove chicks at my grandmother's house; they look spectacular, and now that I see this turtledove, it reminds me of the chicks. The squirrel looks gorgeous, and as you said, she posed for the camera without a problem. Thank you, my friend, for such a lovely post and such a beautiful photo.

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I am sad to tell you that this is not a turtledove (Streptopelia capicola), also called a ringnecked dove. but instead, a laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) in the post.
The laughing doves are much smaller, and that's why they are so special to us :)
Just had some fun with the squirrel, and glad that you liked it.
!BEER

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Thanks friend, how nice to meet another species of turtledove, I also loved the squirrel.

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