Spring brought more than rainshowers and flowers this year to Coal Grove.

Friday, April 28, 2000

Spring brought more than rainshowers and flowers this year to Coal Grove.

When residents Howard Perkins and Brent Ballard went outside to get a headstart on spring gardening, they saw a new family had moved into an abandoned green flowerpot on their front porch.

"It was late February and we were getting ready for planting when we noticed a bird sitting in the pot," Howard said. "Every time we came near the pot, she’d fly away."

The weather soon got colder again and the dove kept making visits to the pot, which continued to dangle from the porch.

And, again, the dove was careful to make sure all potential predators kept their distance.

Well, it seems that Minerva Mourning Dove, as she was later christened, was making sure no one got too close to her nest because she was hiding a precious pair of eggs.

After a few weeks, the eggs, which were the size of Jordan almonds, became little birds.

"I couldn’t believe that something so big could come out of such a small egg," Howard said.

The babies have been around for a couple weeks now and they are geeting bigger every day.

In fact, Howard updated us recently that the little ones have now been seen cavorting around the lawn, still a little shaky, but getting bigger and stronger every day. Before long, they probably will join their parents in the air.

What better way to welcome spring than to hear about a new little family moving in down the street.

Renee Carey is the managing editor of The Ironton Tribune.