Mourning dove nesting in a prickly pear cactus

(Twentynine Palms, May 2006)

Just outside the window of my in-laws' den at their Twentynine Palms home, a mourning dove made a nest inside the branches of a huge prickly pear cactus. She sat on her eggs night and day. The baby birds finally hatched and a few days later disappeared.

That's true love--sitting in a cactus in 90 plus degree weather to protect her young. A mother' s dedication!