We returned to our home in France this May and within an hour, Pierre and Snap Dude were on our terrace to greet us. Maurice, Pierre's wonderful partner for the past five years, never showed up. We assume Maurice didn't make it though the winter, and we wondered if Pierre had already chosen a new partner or if perhaps she and Snap Dude, Maurice's competition for top pigeon, would get together.
For one week we enjoyed Pierre's company, then we took off for a week trip to the Camargue and when we returned, she was no longer around. We assume that she left the flock to find a new partner.
In the mean time, one of Pierre and Maurice's progeny, Henry has taken to eating out of our hands, and competing with Snap Dude for top billing.
Life goes on, but I can't but hope that Pierre comes back someday for a brief visit, if not to stay. And if we don't ever see Pierre again, we at least have Henry and Snap Dude to continue to entertain us. This is a picture of Henry: