I am no wildlife photographer.
But, when I got a lead on a little story, I thought it might make a good Our Town. So I went to check out this little bird, a Killdeer, that had set up a nest in a parking lot.
I went back three times, laid in the grass, got dirt all over me, sweated, stank and looked like a complete fool to the cars passing by. So what. I got close — real close — to this little animal. Saw the eggs in its nest, then had it squeak at me to say, “hey, buddy, you need to back up a bit.” And I certainly gained a new respect for photographers who sit in blinds all day waiting for five seconds of animal action.
So, here’s an outtake of my new friend. The eggs should hatch soon; maybe I’ll take a family portrait.
A female Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) stands near its nest June 29, 2010 in the parking lot of P.E.T. Project, 1908 Heriford. A P.E.T. volunteer discovered the nest while coming into work one morning and alerted Mel West, the Project’s director. West then placed an orange parking cone and a bowl of water near the nest so the animal would have something to drink and motorists would be alerted to the bird’s presence.
Gorgeous bird portrait Josh. The red and green contrast so nicely. A pretty cool story to go along with it too!
I actually did see the “broken wing” display. I got within about 8 feet of the bird when it took off running, then dropped down to the ground and did it.
I was confused at first, but eventually figured it out. The third time I went back, it stopped doing that and just chirped at me loudly instead.
Pretty cool.
Josh,
Most of us don’t sit in blinds waiting for something to happen–we crawl around just like you did, trying to get as close to a small bird as we can with a 400, 500, or 600mm, stacking teleconverters and extension tubes all the way. Then the bird flies off, and you start all over again.
I suppose I would have liked a little more separation between the foreground grass and the Killdeer’s breast, but the eye is sharp and that is the most important detail with all of bird photography.
One thing I should note is that male and female Killdeer are visually identical: unless you witness the copulation or one laying the egg, you can’t tell them apart.
Did you get to see one of them do their “broken wing” display? If they weren’t freaked by your presence at the nest then, wait until the little puff-balls hatch (and they do look like cotton balls with legs). Be sure to go back when they hatch.