Growing up

This young collared dove must have just fledged from one of the nests in our barn. I came outside and saw it trying out Dave's ladder, but whilst Mum called frantically from the chimney pot, the baby just sat and watched me with great curiosity. Earlier I saw the mother pheasant with her offspring in the long grass by the orchard, they are now almost the same size but you can tell the mother bird as she is so vigilant in her care, sitting upright, ever watchful and alert while the youngster explores - now in the long grass, now under the blackberry bushes ...