Zenaida Macroura
The dove is a symbol for many cultures and religions, but for me it has a unique story. After graduating from University I ended up living for (too many) years in Southern Illinois, in the same town as the college. One of my friends was a naturalist, and she was doing a research project on mourning doves. A mating pair of these birds (they mate for life) nested near our home, and my friend could often be found in the early morning sitting quietly in our yard to study their behavior.
Flash forward nearly a decade and I was delighted to find a pair nesting near our home in San Jose. California has many different plants and animals from the ones I grew up with, and it was reassuring to see a familiar face. I often hear their mournful calls when I go out for a morning walk in the neighborhood.