Lee's Photoblog
Incubating the Next Generation
Posted by Lee (Fort Frances Ontario, Canada) on 14 May 2009 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.
The Killdeer is a common bird across North America. It is the only plover with two neck bands.
Yesterday was a good day to go for a drive. The intent was to try and locate nesting birds. The trip was relatively successful.
We saw a Red tailed hawk on its nest.
Killdeers on their nests.
A Sandhill Crane on its nest. (going back in the next couple days for photos of this one)
Canada Goose on its nest.
We also saw Widgeons, Blue Winged Teal, Wilson's Phalaropes, White Pelicans and Harris Sparrows. This was without getting out of the truck. I managed to get some dandy shots. The next few days I will be out and about looking for nesting birds.
Note the four eggs in the lower right shot. They are laid directly on the ground in a scrape for a nest. The eggs blend in very well with their surroundings. Unfortunately this adult Killdeer did not give me the famous broken wing, injured bird display they are well known for.
Thank you for visiting my site. I consider myself to be lucky living where I do. Everyday I wake up to a wealth of interesting visual scenarios. Most of my pictures are Wildlife and Nature taken from around the area. The area specifically being Fort Frances Ontario on beautiful Rainy Lake. Feel free to comment on what you see. I look forward to hearing from you. If you like what you see, please rate it. Better yet, bookmark the site and drop back often. I will be posting daily.
All images are copyrighted by Lee Oelke Photography. They cannot be reproduced, electronically, or by printing without my written consent. Should you be interested in any of my images, please contact me.
Lylou & Roland from Besancon, France
Your nature pictures are all really nice Lee. Thank for Her !
14 May 2009 5:12am
@Lylou & Roland: Thank you very much. I appreciate your compliment.
Loner from Wörgl, Austria
Gratulation to this photo !
The german name is : Keilschwanz-Regenpfeifer. I have never seen it.
Sonja
14 May 2009 5:39am
@Loner: Thank you. It is very common throughout North America.
Alun from Cheshire, United Kingdom
very good shot, you must have been close to get these
14 May 2009 5:50am
@Alun: Thank you. The shot of the adult sitting on the nest was taken from about 30 feet away. The shot of the nest was teken kneeling beside the nest. The bird returned to the nest as soon as I left.
@r00t: Thank you.
Zing from Hamilton, New Zealand
Never seen this kind of bird before, great shots!
14 May 2009 6:25am
@Zing: Thank you. It is named Killdeer after its call "Killdee." These birds are very common on open areas and grass lands.
jamesy from christchurch, New Zealand
awesome shots can't wait to see the babies.
14 May 2009 7:24am
@jamesy: Thank you Debbie. I just hope I get to see the babies. This nest is aways from the house. When the young hatch they leave the nest almost immediately. They are tended to by the parents. I hope I'm around the day of hatching.
P J W Miller from Chase Terrace, United Kingdom
Great shot and love the inclusion of the nest contents
14 May 2009 8:26am
@P J W Miller: Thank you Peter.
Veronique from Sarrouilles, France
Fantastic close-up ! Do you craw to get nearer your birds ?
14 May 2009 9:09am
@Veronique: Thank you. Sometimes I just walk up. Others times I hide behind a tree. And yes somtimes I crawl and lay on my belly.
JanW from Rotterdam, Netherlands
Beautiful collage! Great shots of the bird and the nest. I love your wildlife photos. I have to go to the zoo for 'wildlife pictures'. Thanks for the info too.
14 May 2009 9:21am
@JanW: Thank you very much. There is an abundance of wildlife around our area. I am interested in photgraphing everything I see. I try to learn as much about each species as I can. I am glad to hear you enjoy viewing my shots. Thank you for your support.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
Absolutely delightful, plus I love how you presented it, bravo Lee :)
14 May 2009 9:28am
@Lorraine: Thank you very much Lorraine.
@Baby Sis: Thanks Shelley.
Hidalgo from Herunen, Finland
I have not seen this kind of bird ealier. So they already in nest there. Very good photo.
14 May 2009 9:51am
@Hidalgo: The birds have just started nesting. i was amazed to find some ontheir nests already. Each day more and more will be nesting.
Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand
Amazing!!! What a capture!!! Love your presentation too...very cool!!!
14 May 2009 10:17am
@Linerberry: Thank you Liners. I was surprised to see this species already on their nests.
Eric Cousineau from Sherwood Park, Canada
Well seen and captured! The inclusion of the nest was a special added touch. ;-)
14 May 2009 11:36am
@Eric Cousineau: Thank you Eric. I thought I should show how well the eggs blend into their surroundings.
Marion from Cincinnati, United States
Great capture and I love your collage - beautifully done!
14 May 2009 11:42am
@Marion: Thank you Marion. I'm glad you enjoyed viewing it.
@kisskool: Thank you. I am pleased to know you liked it.
@Beat: Thank you.
bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada
Nicely captured and perfect framing.
I enjoyed your commentary...nice!
14 May 2009 12:43pm
@bluechameleon: Thank you Sharon. It was a great day. This morning we have a skim on snow on the ground, -2 degrees. Best of luck to all nesting birds.
@Daniel: Thank you Daniel
@Elora: Thank you very much. It was a great find.
@Elena Kotrotsou: Thank you. It was a rewarding day for me.
Ajay from Pune, India
What a beautiful bird those stripe on the next. A bird with a style, I say.
14 May 2009 2:26pm
@Ajay: Thank you Ajay. A classy bird for sure.
mats from Texas, United States
That's a beautiful bird. You're saving me a dime or two. I don't have to go to the bird sanctuary or to the zoo, I'll just visit your site and voila! Thanks for sharing Lee.
14 May 2009 2:34pm
@mats: Why, Thank you very much Mats. That is a huge compliment.
@vu@granby - Wolfgang: Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, FL, United States
I really like killdeers; this is a wonderful combo shot.
14 May 2009 3:06pm
@Viewfinder: Thank you. I thought it would work well.
Michael Rawluk from Williams Lake, BC, Canada
That is a super shot of nature. So crisp.
14 May 2009 3:47pm
@Michael Rawluk: Thank you very much Michael.
@Mariana: Thank you ever so much. I am pleased to know you enjoyed viewing these shots.
LauraS from Chico, United States
Nicely done. I like seeing history, and connections. Great photos, too....
14 May 2009 3:56pm
@LauraS: Thank you Laura. Thank you very much.
B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States
So, did you see any birds? ;-) Wow, what a spotting trip that was. Can't wait for more photos of them all. Great shot of this beautiful bird.
14 May 2009 5:09pm
@B. Thomas: Thank you Barbara. It was a lousy day actually, rained several times while we were out. The wind was blowing with gale force strength at times. Going back this weekend again. Hopefully will get more and better shots. Of course yoy know I'll be posting any worth while viewing shots. Ha. Take care.
Linda from Riga/Sigulda, Latvia
beautiful stripes and eyes of the bird, great composition and background
14 May 2009 5:42pm
@Linda: Thanks Linda. This adult was not to interested in getting off the nest. Can't says I blame it. Thus I was able to get relatively close for this shot.
BIG SIS and Brother-inlaw from Petawawa Ontario, Canada
Hi Lee; Nice shot of a very nice bird, are they nesting near water ?
14 May 2009 6:33pm
@BIG SIS and Brother-inlaw: Although they are a shore bird and enjoy water, it was not near the water. There was a small pond a few hundred yard away. This nest was right along side the travelled portion of the roadway.
@Didier DE ZAN: Thank you.
Susan from Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Wow, what wonderful shots you got, and what a wealth of wildlife you saw on this ride,,,,,seems you know how lucky you are to live in an area so rich with this wildlife....jealousy abounds on my part!!
14 May 2009 7:19pm
@Susan: Thank you Susan. I do appreciate my surroundings. I am thankful each and every day. It also pays to know where to go and when to go.
Suzanne Labbé from Granby, Canada
Ohhh so beautiful, so tender. Geat presentation ! Bravissimo.
14 May 2009 8:25pm
@Suzanne Labbé: Thank you Suzanne.
@eva: Thank you very much Eva.
@john4jack: Thank you Jack.
Kerri from Blacksburg, United States
Awesome capture and I loved learning about the killdeer!
17 May 2009 12:03pm
@Kerri: Thank you Kerri. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
@Sarah: Thanks Sarah.
