Questions and interest continue to be made in regards to the decision if one should use doves or butterflies in their wedding ceremonies. Since I raise doves (white homing pigeons) I have a bias in the release of doves. Using a professional dove handler the birds are trained and managed in a way to guarantee the highest safety of their return home. The handler can work with your photographer to capture those special moments on film and can work with your wedding coordinator to personalise your release. I found this old post and I thought I would put it on my blog to encourage dialogue. Please check it out.
http://www.pashweddings.com/weddingforums/showthread.php?t=486
If you have had butterflies at your wedding, or you are researching the use of butterflies for an event please share that information with us. Maybe you raise butterflies or know someone who does, I'm sure butterflies are handled differently since 2002 would like to post that information. If you have any questions about our birds email us at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com or check out our site at http://www.dovesforrelease.com/
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Hawks: Nemises of the Doves
Ask anyone who raises doves or pigeons "What is their number one frustration with the birds?" and they will most often tell you their experiences with the hawks. In fact when the hawks migrate from November till April their are some dove companies that limit their releases or in fact do no releases through those months because of the bird losses they experience. I will admit that we do have some losses to the hawks but because of some of our practices I believe we keep our losses to a minimum. The following are some things we do.
It has been our experience that hawks seem to be creatures of habit. Because we know that the hawk seems to be around the loft lets say in the morning we take the birds on training tosses after 12:00. By the way the hawk most often we have trouble with is called a Cooper Hawk. We are outside when the birds arrive to discourage and to observe whether hawks are in the area. The birds are most vulnerable when taking off and landing. We believe in taking our birds on tosses rather than allowing free flight because the doves when given the opportunity of free flight will often go to the trees since they are close to home which allows them to be an easy target for the hawk. A healthy pigeon or rock dove in flight will out fly most variety of hawks. So our first precaution is to vary the times of our training tosses.
Our doves are locked down at all times. We feel that it is important for us to control the activity of the doves and we want to minimize the amount of time they are exposed to the elements so the only time they are out is when they have been released for a trainning toss or a ceremonial release. The design of our loft allows the dove to come in, but there is no way he can get out. So our second precaution is to control the amount of time the dove has to being outside.
One of the controls a handler has on his doves is hunger. When we take the doves out on a trainning toss the toss is allways done before they are fed. Remember when I said that the dove is most vulnerable when taking off and landing. When the bird comes home and he is hungry he will go in the loft quickly because he is hungry rather than hanging in the trees where it is a target for the hawk. Our doves know food and water is waiting for them so they trap quickly. So food and water is a great motivater for keeping the doves on their toes.
Our birds are exercised year round, a healthy well conditioned dove is not an easy target. Even with all the precautions we take we do occasionaly lose a bird. But it has been our experience that the birds we lose tend to be the less desireable ones and I think in some ways the hawk is natures way of keeping the overall flock healthier. If you are looking for ceremonial doves check out our website at http://www.dovesforrelease.com/ if you are out of our service area I can steer you in the right direction, if you have any questions email me at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com
It has been our experience that hawks seem to be creatures of habit. Because we know that the hawk seems to be around the loft lets say in the morning we take the birds on training tosses after 12:00. By the way the hawk most often we have trouble with is called a Cooper Hawk. We are outside when the birds arrive to discourage and to observe whether hawks are in the area. The birds are most vulnerable when taking off and landing. We believe in taking our birds on tosses rather than allowing free flight because the doves when given the opportunity of free flight will often go to the trees since they are close to home which allows them to be an easy target for the hawk. A healthy pigeon or rock dove in flight will out fly most variety of hawks. So our first precaution is to vary the times of our training tosses.
Our doves are locked down at all times. We feel that it is important for us to control the activity of the doves and we want to minimize the amount of time they are exposed to the elements so the only time they are out is when they have been released for a trainning toss or a ceremonial release. The design of our loft allows the dove to come in, but there is no way he can get out. So our second precaution is to control the amount of time the dove has to being outside.
One of the controls a handler has on his doves is hunger. When we take the doves out on a trainning toss the toss is allways done before they are fed. Remember when I said that the dove is most vulnerable when taking off and landing. When the bird comes home and he is hungry he will go in the loft quickly because he is hungry rather than hanging in the trees where it is a target for the hawk. Our doves know food and water is waiting for them so they trap quickly. So food and water is a great motivater for keeping the doves on their toes.
Our birds are exercised year round, a healthy well conditioned dove is not an easy target. Even with all the precautions we take we do occasionaly lose a bird. But it has been our experience that the birds we lose tend to be the less desireable ones and I think in some ways the hawk is natures way of keeping the overall flock healthier. If you are looking for ceremonial doves check out our website at http://www.dovesforrelease.com/ if you are out of our service area I can steer you in the right direction, if you have any questions email me at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Memorial Doves
Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest- Psalm 55:6
Since the beginning of recorded history tranquility and peace have been associated with the dove. The releasing of a dove at a memorial or funeral is an appropriate way of saying goodbye, letting that person go to start their spiritual journey.
Sometimes the number of doves is reflected in other ways, such as the number of children or grandchildren. However many doves you choose for the release the symbolism can provide some peace and comfort. With the release music or poetry is often used these two are my favorite.
I'm Free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God has chosen for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I've now found peace at the end of the day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss'
Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don't lengthen your pain with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now-- He set me free.
Author: Shannon Lee Moseley
White Doves
The white doves are taking flight.
It's my time to say good-bye.
I will not be here when you wake,
for my soul he had to take.
You might miss the smile on my face.
You might miss the words that I say.
but just sit and think a while,
for in your heart my memories lie.
I have a narrow road to travel.
The white doves will lead the way.
They will help ease my fears,
as I journey, this new place.
I am in a place of comfort.
The fear now is gone.
Put those things out of your thoughts,
in your memory I live on.
Remember not my fight for breath,
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life.
Author Unknown
When the time comes and you are in the position of planning a funeral or memorial service consider the release of doves at the cemetery or location where the service is taking place. If the service is in New Jersey, selected areas of eastern PA or NYC contact us for ideas and availability of our birds. For about the price of a floral arrangement we have self release birds available, check out our site www.dovesforrelease.com
Monday, January 10, 2011
Should I release Butterflies or Doves after the Ceremony
I read an interesting article about the releasing of butterflies after wedding ceremonies that I thought would be worth posting on my blog. The article was put out by the North American Butterfly Association and it gave I thought at least some things to consider if you are going to have a butterfly release.
Most fifth graders can tell you how the magnificent Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles every autumn from the United States and Canada to a few small mountain tops in Mexico. There they find the right environmental conditions that allow them to survive the winter. With the advent of spring, they begin their return journey. This migratory phenomenon is truly a wonder of nature that sparks the imagination.
Now imagine tens of thousands of mixed-up Monarchs unable to find the way to their overwintering grounds. This depressing image may become a reality if the rapidly-growing fad of releasing butterflies, including Monarch butterflies, at weddings, state fairs, and other public events continues to spread. Because the released Monarchs may have come from California, for instance, where they do not migrate to Mexico, their offspring may not be able to orient properly,. Because the Monarchs were raised inside under unnatural conditions, it is possible that their delicate migratory physiology may not have been turned on.
Public interest in butterflies is increasing dramatically. We hope and expect this greater involvement with butterflies will eventually lead to much-needed support for butterfly conservation and studies, but the release of live butterflies is the dark side of this increase in popularity. Although this practice is understandable to naive newlyweds-to-be (what could be more beautiful than adding butterflies to the environment?) it is really a particularly long-lasting form of environmental pollution.
Butterflies raised by unregulated commercial interests may spread diseases and parasites to wild populations, with devastating results. Often, butterflies are released great distances from their points of origin, resulting in inappropriate genetic mixing of different populations when the same species is locally present. When it is not, a non-native species is being introduced in the area of release. At best, this confuses studies of butterfly distribution and migration; at worst, it may result in deleterious changes to the local ecology. The Hollywood Jurassic park message, "Don't fool with Mother Nature," has scientific foundations. Recently a high profile report in Science magazine found that even the careful introduction of species for biological control often causes unexpected negative results.
In addition, these releases create a commercial market for live butterflies (currently about $10/apiece), with the result that, for example, the Monarch overwintering sites in Mexico and on the California coast are now targets for poachers.
Currently, the interstate shipment of live butterflies requires a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture but this law is not usually enforced. In general, the Dept. of Agriculture may issue a permit for shipping any of the following species: Monarch, Painted Lady, American Lady, Red Admiral, Giant Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary, Zebra (Heliconian), and Mourning Cloak. Shipping Red Admirals, Giant Swallowtails, Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra (Heliconians) is particularly inappropriate because they are not naturally found over much of the United States.
A solution that better serves the public interest with less regulatory burden is to ban the environmental release of commercially-obtained butterflies (we would exempt education institutions, although even here we would encourage schools to keep commercially-obtained butterflies within the confines of the school). The intentional release of native birds was outlawed in 1947. The time has come to do the same with butterflies.
In addition to the above, many wedding planners now avoid butterflies at weddings because they not infrequently arrive dead, or half-dead. (See the recent article in the New York Times "Festive Release of Butterflies Puts Trouble in the Air" on page F4 of the Sept. 15, 1998 edition). Even if alive, they often will soon die because they are released at the wrong time of year, or at the wrong locality to survive.
A truly beautiful and environmentally friendly way to celebrate a wedding is to throw rose petals. You can even use outdated roses from your florist.
--- Action You Can Take
Views of Other Organizations
Readers' Views
The conclusion one might come up with after reading this information is that a Dove release is safer on the environment and still weaves the beauty of nature into the ceremony. I invite you to ask us any questions about our birds, and if you are considering a dove release in NJ, the Philadelphia area or NYC, please call or email dovesforrelease @ yahoo.com and be sure to check out our website at http://www.dovesforrelease.com/
There's No Need to Release Butterflies -- They're Already Free
by Jeffrey Glassberg (president of NABA); Paul Opler (author of Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies); Robert M. Pyle (author of Audubon Society Field Guide to Butterflies); Robert Robbins (curator of Lepidoptera, Smithsonian Institution) and James Tuttle (president, (Lepidopterists' Society)Most fifth graders can tell you how the magnificent Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles every autumn from the United States and Canada to a few small mountain tops in Mexico. There they find the right environmental conditions that allow them to survive the winter. With the advent of spring, they begin their return journey. This migratory phenomenon is truly a wonder of nature that sparks the imagination.
Now imagine tens of thousands of mixed-up Monarchs unable to find the way to their overwintering grounds. This depressing image may become a reality if the rapidly-growing fad of releasing butterflies, including Monarch butterflies, at weddings, state fairs, and other public events continues to spread. Because the released Monarchs may have come from California, for instance, where they do not migrate to Mexico, their offspring may not be able to orient properly,. Because the Monarchs were raised inside under unnatural conditions, it is possible that their delicate migratory physiology may not have been turned on.
Public interest in butterflies is increasing dramatically. We hope and expect this greater involvement with butterflies will eventually lead to much-needed support for butterfly conservation and studies, but the release of live butterflies is the dark side of this increase in popularity. Although this practice is understandable to naive newlyweds-to-be (what could be more beautiful than adding butterflies to the environment?) it is really a particularly long-lasting form of environmental pollution.
Butterflies raised by unregulated commercial interests may spread diseases and parasites to wild populations, with devastating results. Often, butterflies are released great distances from their points of origin, resulting in inappropriate genetic mixing of different populations when the same species is locally present. When it is not, a non-native species is being introduced in the area of release. At best, this confuses studies of butterfly distribution and migration; at worst, it may result in deleterious changes to the local ecology. The Hollywood Jurassic park message, "Don't fool with Mother Nature," has scientific foundations. Recently a high profile report in Science magazine found that even the careful introduction of species for biological control often causes unexpected negative results.
In addition, these releases create a commercial market for live butterflies (currently about $10/apiece), with the result that, for example, the Monarch overwintering sites in Mexico and on the California coast are now targets for poachers.
Currently, the interstate shipment of live butterflies requires a permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture but this law is not usually enforced. In general, the Dept. of Agriculture may issue a permit for shipping any of the following species: Monarch, Painted Lady, American Lady, Red Admiral, Giant Swallowtail, Gulf Fritillary, Zebra (Heliconian), and Mourning Cloak. Shipping Red Admirals, Giant Swallowtails, Gulf Fritillaries and Zebra (Heliconians) is particularly inappropriate because they are not naturally found over much of the United States.
A solution that better serves the public interest with less regulatory burden is to ban the environmental release of commercially-obtained butterflies (we would exempt education institutions, although even here we would encourage schools to keep commercially-obtained butterflies within the confines of the school). The intentional release of native birds was outlawed in 1947. The time has come to do the same with butterflies.
In addition to the above, many wedding planners now avoid butterflies at weddings because they not infrequently arrive dead, or half-dead. (See the recent article in the New York Times "Festive Release of Butterflies Puts Trouble in the Air" on page F4 of the Sept. 15, 1998 edition). Even if alive, they often will soon die because they are released at the wrong time of year, or at the wrong locality to survive.
A truly beautiful and environmentally friendly way to celebrate a wedding is to throw rose petals. You can even use outdated roses from your florist.
--- Action You Can Take
Views of Other Organizations
- American Museum of Natural History
- Calloway Gardens
- National Wildlife Federation
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Readers' Views
The conclusion one might come up with after reading this information is that a Dove release is safer on the environment and still weaves the beauty of nature into the ceremony. I invite you to ask us any questions about our birds, and if you are considering a dove release in NJ, the Philadelphia area or NYC, please call or email dovesforrelease @ yahoo.com and be sure to check out our website at http://www.dovesforrelease.com/
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Rali and George's Wedding White Dove Release
I want to thank Rali and George for posting on U-Tube the video of their dove release which was 10/10/2010 at Antony & Cleopatra Caterers in Williamstown NJ. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were pleased that we could provide the doves for the event.
Rali did some interesting things with the doves to get people involved, which I believe made her ceremony special because it was unique. Rali had a memorial table set with pictures of loved ones and she had her bridesmaid and best man release several birds in a black decorated basket in their memory instead of lighting candles, it was real touching. Than finally she had the flower girl and ring bearer with other small children release a larger basket of doves to join the others. It was a gorgeous evening and the birds added a special touch.
Often times before the birds are released there is a blessing or poem. I would like to leave this with you.
The Legend of the Dove
Once the Lord of Heaven chose two doves, both young and fair.
And told them of a very special journey they would share.
"Go now upon the earth and see two hearts where you may dwell,
And there I shall surely come and make my home with you as well.
We'll join the two and make them one. A Husband and a Wife,
My spirit will endow their love with everlasting life."
Today the Doves will bring sacred promise from above
To those whose hearts are open to the miracle of love.
If we can be of service for your white dove release needs call us at 609-758-5741 or check out our website at www.dovesforrelease.com
Rali did some interesting things with the doves to get people involved, which I believe made her ceremony special because it was unique. Rali had a memorial table set with pictures of loved ones and she had her bridesmaid and best man release several birds in a black decorated basket in their memory instead of lighting candles, it was real touching. Than finally she had the flower girl and ring bearer with other small children release a larger basket of doves to join the others. It was a gorgeous evening and the birds added a special touch.
Often times before the birds are released there is a blessing or poem. I would like to leave this with you.
The Legend of the Dove
Once the Lord of Heaven chose two doves, both young and fair.
And told them of a very special journey they would share.
"Go now upon the earth and see two hearts where you may dwell,
And there I shall surely come and make my home with you as well.
We'll join the two and make them one. A Husband and a Wife,
My spirit will endow their love with everlasting life."
Today the Doves will bring sacred promise from above
To those whose hearts are open to the miracle of love.
If we can be of service for your white dove release needs call us at 609-758-5741 or check out our website at www.dovesforrelease.com
Monday, December 27, 2010
Doves for Weddings
For the past two years we have done a variety of releases for weddings ranging from the most formal to the very casual garden weddings. In fact I invite you to go to my web site and view our photo gallery to see some of the pictures http://www.dovesforrelease.com/ Most typically a bride and groom will release a single bird from a heart shaped basket where the two birds will fly off together symbolizing the union of the couple and there journey together. As seen in the above picture. But what can also be done can be a single basket held together with two birds jointly released by the couple or even released by hand.
In some weddings as the bride and groom leave the church and as they release their birds multiple baskets of birds can be released for a dramatic effect. To see the birds circle above and fly as a group is a site to behold.
White doves can also be released on behalf of those who have died. I have seen it done in garden weddings rather than lighting a candle releasing several birds in memory of loved ones which was quite moving. The releasing of doves makes the service memorable and lights up the faces of those who are participating.
If you are thinking about a release for your wedding, take out a minute to view this short video. Watching this you will get a feel for what a dove release is all about, and if you live in NJ, Philadelphia Area, or the NYC area and are looking for a dove handler, please consider our services. Check out our site http://www.dovesforrelease.com/ we would like the opportunity of making your wedding day special with our birds.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
How do you train white doves?
When ever we do a white dove release it is going to be inevitable that some will ask how do you train the white doves to come home? So I thought this might be a good question to start with. Before we get into training it is important that you have birds that are trainable, in other words having youngsters that are related to birds that have a good homing instinct. My white pigeons are related to racing pigeons of which some have raced 500 miles on the day. As you recall white doves that are used for ceremonies are rock doves better known as homing pigeons. So to expect my birds to be trainable for a 100 miles is not a great expectation. So breeding is the first step to successful training.
The egg takes 18 days to hatch and the young bird stays in the nest roughly 30 days before the parents kick them out to start another clutch of eggs. I remove the young and put them in a cage so I can observe the youngsters to make sure they are eating on their own. In a week to 10 days after I feel confident they are eating on their own they go to the young bird loft. The loft is a 4x8 shed like building used for settling the youngsters.
When the birds are 40 to 50 days old they are very curious of their surroundings. On the loft is a landing board. For the first two weeks that they are in the loft they are caged on top of the landing board. It is done for two reasons, first being caged on the landing board they are able to view their surroundings in safety from hawks or other animals of prey. Second the loft has an entrance where the birds can go in but they cant go out, this time gets them comfortable with the bob system so when they are finally given free flight they feel comfortable in getting into the loft.
When the birds are 60-70 days old they are given free flight. They are placed on the landing board with no restrictions. For the first couple of days they rush into the loft, a few days later they start flying in the trees, top of the roof, they stay pretty close to the house. In 7-10 days I want the birds to be flying, some times it takes a little persuasion so I have a long bamboo pole with a red flag to keep them flying but anything that keeps the birds up can be used. At this time I introduce the training crate to the birds. A training crate is a canvas box with a dowel top, capable of holding 20 youngsters. The birds get used to being crated and transported. So I crate the birds and release them in the front yard where they can see their loft and get used to the process to feel comfortable.
As the days continue the birds fly further from the house out of sight. When the birds are gone for 45 min we start to road train. by the way when the birds are gone for that long we call it routing this is the process that the birds start learning their surroundings and learn to fly as a group. The first training toss is 1 mile from the loft. As the birds are released they are observed for how well they group and how quickly they get to the loft. If it is a good toss we will toss in the opposite direction again one mile, this toss is repeated in all four directions.
We repeat this process jumping the distance to 5 miles, 10 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles. Once the birds are trained out to the distances we want we keep the birds conditioned. Conditioning is done through exercise and diet . If we have a wedding or event that is greater than 50 miles we train to the location of the event to make sure the birds are comfortable when they are released. If you have any questions on this topic or any subject having to deal with the our white pigeons email me at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com
The egg takes 18 days to hatch and the young bird stays in the nest roughly 30 days before the parents kick them out to start another clutch of eggs. I remove the young and put them in a cage so I can observe the youngsters to make sure they are eating on their own. In a week to 10 days after I feel confident they are eating on their own they go to the young bird loft. The loft is a 4x8 shed like building used for settling the youngsters.
When the birds are 40 to 50 days old they are very curious of their surroundings. On the loft is a landing board. For the first two weeks that they are in the loft they are caged on top of the landing board. It is done for two reasons, first being caged on the landing board they are able to view their surroundings in safety from hawks or other animals of prey. Second the loft has an entrance where the birds can go in but they cant go out, this time gets them comfortable with the bob system so when they are finally given free flight they feel comfortable in getting into the loft.
When the birds are 60-70 days old they are given free flight. They are placed on the landing board with no restrictions. For the first couple of days they rush into the loft, a few days later they start flying in the trees, top of the roof, they stay pretty close to the house. In 7-10 days I want the birds to be flying, some times it takes a little persuasion so I have a long bamboo pole with a red flag to keep them flying but anything that keeps the birds up can be used. At this time I introduce the training crate to the birds. A training crate is a canvas box with a dowel top, capable of holding 20 youngsters. The birds get used to being crated and transported. So I crate the birds and release them in the front yard where they can see their loft and get used to the process to feel comfortable.
As the days continue the birds fly further from the house out of sight. When the birds are gone for 45 min we start to road train. by the way when the birds are gone for that long we call it routing this is the process that the birds start learning their surroundings and learn to fly as a group. The first training toss is 1 mile from the loft. As the birds are released they are observed for how well they group and how quickly they get to the loft. If it is a good toss we will toss in the opposite direction again one mile, this toss is repeated in all four directions.
We repeat this process jumping the distance to 5 miles, 10 miles, 25 miles and 50 miles. Once the birds are trained out to the distances we want we keep the birds conditioned. Conditioning is done through exercise and diet . If we have a wedding or event that is greater than 50 miles we train to the location of the event to make sure the birds are comfortable when they are released. If you have any questions on this topic or any subject having to deal with the our white pigeons email me at dovesforrelease@yahoo.com
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