It may still be spring, and some parts of the country are still getting snow, but here in Florida it’s already hot. It has also been quite dry, so the animals here are doing everything they can to stay cool and stay hydrated. Mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) tend to be rather shy and it’s not unusual for them to perch in the trees and watch what’s going on. This one had chosen a nice shady spot and I liked the way that shade was painting interesting shadows on the birds back.