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lejun | profile | all galleries >> "Birdseye View" >> To raise a Killdeer...... tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

To raise a Killdeer......


To raise a Killdeer......
(Charadrius vociferus)
The images in this gallery chronicle a 25 day period during which I had the good fortune to
observe a pair of Killdeer select a nesting site, lay eggs, hatch and fledge their young.
This was a great experience seldom witnessed.
Note: Extreme care was taken not to in any way harm or disturb the nest, eggs, hatchlings or adults.
The duration of the photo sessions were limited and telephoto lens were used to stay far away from the birds and the site.
All four eggs hatched successfully and the fledglings energetically disappeared into the weeds and brush along with their parents.

Killdeer: First Sighting Killdeer: First Sighting Killdeer
Killdeer on Nesting Site Killdeer with Nestlings Killdeer Hatchling
Killdeer with Hatchling Adult Killdeer Killdeer with Nestlings
Killdeer over nesting site Killdeer near nesting site A very inconspicuous nesting site. A beautiful example of camouflage.
Killdeer just behind the nesting site Killdeer feigning injury to protect her nesting site Killdeer Stream
Nesting site location Nesting site in red overlay Killdeer Eggs
Killdeer Eggs Killdeer Eggs Killdeer feigning injury to protect her nesting site
Killdeer feigning injury to protect her nesting site Killdeer feigning injury to protect her nesting site Killdeer Egg.
Killdeer Hatchling Killdeer Hatchlings Killdeer Hatchlings
Killdeer Hatchling Killdeer Hatchlings Killdeer Chick
Kildeer Chicks Kildeer Chicks Kildeer Chick
End of the Story

post a comment
Melinda 24-Jun-2008 13:05
Loved this gallery! We are watching a nest right now... hope to see the little ones off to a good start. Had some last year, such fun!
AlexP 28-Apr-2008 16:55
Wow, great work on this gallery!! Big Vote.
click on thumbnails for full image