Turtle-dove Love by Ken _Gilliland
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
While most people associate the Turtle-dove with the "12 days of Christmas" song. The actual symbolism of the Turtle-dove is more closely associated with Valentine's Day.
Biblical references (especially the well-known verse from the Song of Songs), along with its mournful voice, and the fact that it forms strong pair bonds, Turtle Doves have become emblems of devoted love. In the New Testament, a two turtle doves are mentioned to have been sacrificed for the Birth of Jesus In Renaissance Europe the Turtle Dove was envisaged as the devoted partner of the phoenix. Robert Chester's poem Love's Martyr is a sustained exploration of this symbolism. It was published along with other poems on the subject, including William Shakespeare's poem "The Phoenix and the Turtle" (where "turtle" refers to the turtle dove).
The European Turtle-dove is a migratory species with a southern Palearctic range, including Turkey and north Africa, though it is rare in northern Scandinavia and Russia; it winters in southern Africa.
The arrival in spring is heralded by its purring song, a rather deep, vibrating “turrr, turrr”, from which the bird's name is derived. Despite the identical spelling, the "turtle" of the name, derived from Latin turtur, has no connection with the reptile, "turtle" in that case coming originally from Late Latin tortuca.
The Turtle Dove, one of the latest migrants, rarely appears in Northern Europe before the end of April, returning south again in September, but is often seen in April
Rendered in Poser Pro with no postwork. Models: Rose Garden (RDNA) and my European Turtle-doves with SBRM European Edition 2.

Comments (17)
As always, beautiful and realistic birds.
wonderful super excellent work
Fabulous image. I love the way the colors pop against the background
Beautiful image, the Turtle Doves look very lovey dovey. Jan
How sweet, love among the roses. Beautiful birds and scene. Perfect timing on your new collection too. I can't decide which one to try first, they are ALL so beautiful. Thanks again.
Beautiful render! By the way: the german name is "Turteltaube". Very apt for Valentine, because "turteln" means "to flirt". :)
excellent Ken you big softy lol well done
Nice information about these birds! It would also seem they form habits as two use to fly down to a lamp post outside the window on the chimes of the 6 o clock news and do there thing!
Ken, they are lovely!
Very lovely! Your European birds are fantastic! I'm working on pictures with them now!
SUPERBLY done work!!
Beautiful work! Lovely birds! :o)
Very nice!
happy birds together
Beautiful work!
A beautiful pair of birds in a beautiful render!! I love all your birds and use them frequently.
So sweet and so beautifully done! I hope you had a wonderful V Day! Love the new pack- now I just need to find time to play with all your lovely birds!