Well, yesterday may have been the first day of spring but so far I’m not impressed – it’s been dreary and wet and it’s supposed to be very cold through the weekend. I’ll even have to turn the heat on in my de-winterized camping trailer to keep the plumbing from freezing, Ugh…
So I’ve been stuck in the house and was going through some older images when I came across this series of a very young Killdeer chick at Farmington Bay WMA. It was in the grasses near a parking lot and it was just as curious about me and my pickup as I was about it.
1/800, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
I’d taken a few shots of this chick just after the sun came up but it was so buried in the grasses that the images weren’t very good but when I came back to the parking lot 51 minutes later it was in an area where the grasses weren’t quite as thick. At first it just watched me and didn’t do much. One of the parents was nearby but neither bird seemed nervous about my presence in my vehicle.
1/500, f/11, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
And soon it walked closer to me to check me out.
1/500, f/11, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
Then it decided to do some posing for the camera. First a leg stretch…
1/500, f/11, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
and then it stretched that stubby little wing with the leg still partly extended. I liked the awkward pose from the gawky youngster.
1/500, f/11, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
Then it settled in for a prolonged, one-legged rest.
1/640, f/11, ISO 400, 400 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
In fact, it could barely stay awake (I know that feeling well…)
1/640, f/11, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
This ungainly pose was at the end of another wing stretch.
1/500, f/11, ISO 640, 400 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up or called in
Eventually it took its own sweet time wandering off into the grasses and joined its parent.
Killdeer chicks are precocial so they leave the nest soon after their down dries after hatching and they feed themselves, though the parents look after them for some time. I’m not sure how old this one was but it was very small. At times, and at the right angle, it looked like a bi-colored ping pong ball with legs.
Ron
Wonderful series of photos!! What a sweet thing… I hope it’s survived to adult hood, so that it can pass on some of those genes!!
Oh ping-pong ball with legs. This is really a wonderful series. Baby anythings are so cute, and you captured many endearing behaviors 🙂
Beautiful photos, cute chick!
Thank you, Cindy.
It almost looks woolly in some of those shots. What an enchanting little bird. I am so glad that the weather kept you indoors checking old photographs today – I really enjoy this cheeky youngster.
Looks like I’ll be “kept indoors” for a few more days, Elephant’s Child. When oh when will it end?
A wonderful series of photos. I’ve always enjoyed watching killdeer. We have discovered that we have a pair of American Kestrels nesting in a palm tree over the back wall of our property. I wish you could be here to photograph them and the chicks when they hatch. Unfortunately they are far enough away that my point & shoot camera will probably never get a good photo.
I wish I could be there for that momentous event too, Susan but take your shots anyway. Bet they’ll be fun. Right now I also wish I had your palm trees, which would mean I wouldn’t be putting up with this much frigid weather!
What wonderful adorable shots! Stay warm!
It warmed up after the snow this morning, Charlotte. It’s all gone now but it’s supposed to be frigid over the weekend. Oh joy…
What fun to watch that little one! I love killdeer…as a child it was probably the first bird that I learned anything about bird behavior from and how protective the parents are when they lure you away from their nest or babies with the hurt wing trick!
That “broken wing act” they do is so very interesting, Peggy. I’ve been meaning to do a post on it with American Avocets that also do it.
Thank you, Maria and Sharon.
A very sweet series and was a great treat to see this morning. Thanks!
Wonderful close-ups Ron!
Hi Ron,we got two inches here in Pa. last night but there are signs of spring popping out all over so don’t despair, it’s coming fast and the joyful show will begin again. I’m bringing this adorable little series to the children at the school library today, I can already hear their giggles. This little gal has some long and shapely gams on her ping pong ball body, maybe we’ll suggest she wants to grow-up to be a Rockett!
It’s snowing here right now, Janice. I’ve had enough…
Tell the kids at Kutz Elementary hello for me.
I have a special place in my heart for Killdeer. Laying their eggs near roads, the brush near a busy highway, and of course, driveways of friends and shopping center parking lots. I see them as a brave bird; believing that they totally safe where they nest. The best thing about them is watching the young ones getting older if you are lucky enough to have a next to where you park. Thanks for the pictures. I look forward everyday for your post!
Me too, Karen. I believe the Killdeer was the second bird I learned to recognize (after the meadowlark) as a very young child in Montana.
Great series Ron, very interesting and fun to see. Excellent job, and thanks for sharing.
We have between 7-8 inches of new snow with more snow flurries to come. What a difference a
year makes, but I’m still looking forward to when Spring finally arrives!!
Thank you, Dick. Bring on Spring!
What a little sweetie! First time I ever saw a Killdeer. Thank you.
They’re great birds, Debbie – seemingly fearless at times, boisterous and full of life.