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

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Ron Fredrick PM reply 13-Oct-2011 02:50
Wonderful behavior shots of this nesting and hatching sequence. Great color, exposure and detail. Nicely done.
lejun PM reply 22-Jul-2011 20:13
John: Thanks for your kind words. I am glad to hear you had a similar experience with the Killdeer. Nothing like the world of birds for great experiences!
John Howard 22-Jul-2011 11:59
Great story and beautiful pictures! I just had the same experience with a pair of Killdeer nesting, hatching and fledging their young and took many pictures of the process. My photos don't hold a candle to the wonderful and thoughtful shots in your essay.
Robert Houde PM reply 26-May-2010 03:09
Stunning gallery, excellent work.
nicolebouglouan PM reply 11-Mar-2009 08:07
Very interesting gallery and great pictures!
Thank you for sharing this behaviour! Vote
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 PM reply 28-Apr-2008 16:55
Wow, great work on this gallery!! Big Vote.
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