Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Killdeer and Hatchling

 Mama Killdeer

My husband and I were driving down a dirt road when we spotted a family of killdeer  hanging around a huge puddle in the middle of the road.

 Baby killdeer

Mama wouldn't let me near her baby so this is a severely cropped photo.

 Mama looking after baby

Mama sent Baby into the nearby tall grass to hide. They called to each other constantly. After a short while Mama checked to make sure Baby was really okay.

Daddy killdeer

Meanwhile Daddy pretended he was hurt to divert my attention.  I've seen this before so knew it was a trick.  And, yes, I did see him walk away when he realized I was leaving the scene.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
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50 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 7, 2015 at 4:50 AM

    How clever, beautiful shots of a beautiful little family!

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  2. GigaJuly 7, 2015 at 5:16 AM

    Parents are very caring and it's wonderful. The birds are beautiful. Greetings.

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  3. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"July 7, 2015 at 5:17 AM

    Interesting pictures, particularly the "broken wing" trick. I can't help thinking that Killdeer and Hatchling sound like a law firm.

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  4. Margaret Birding For PleasureJuly 7, 2015 at 5:25 AM

    These are wonderful shots and you were fortunate to see the young one een at a distance.

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  5. ADRIANJuly 7, 2015 at 5:28 AM

    Interesting. I have seen several birds doing the broken wing trick. Plovers often do it here. I find it quite comical.

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  6. BlogorattiJuly 7, 2015 at 5:34 AM

    Really delightful photos.

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  7. chicaJuly 7, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    Lindas fotos e momentos! bjs, chica

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  8. Yogi♪♪♪July 7, 2015 at 6:52 AM

    We have killdeer here and they are quite entertaining. I try and not stress them out too much.

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  9. PerthDailyPhotoJuly 7, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Goodness! I did not realise birds did that EG, that's what I love about blogging,you find out amazing new things :)

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  10. AnvilcloudJuly 7, 2015 at 7:27 AM

    With that fake injury, Daddy Kildeer could play soccer.

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  11. Gill - That British WomanJuly 7, 2015 at 7:28 AM

    they are funny little birdies, but what they do, does indeed work........

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  12. KathyJuly 7, 2015 at 7:47 AM

    Ah, what a sweet little family. That was probably baby's first foray out of the nest.

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  13. RohrerbotJuly 7, 2015 at 8:05 AM

    Great reaction by the parents if you get too close:) this is a bird I sometimes take for granted because they seem to be everywhere but they are still very cool!

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  14. Divers and SundryJuly 7, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    Your timing was perfect! What a treat to happen upon this little family with them all together like that. :)

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  15. MadSnapperJuly 7, 2015 at 8:26 AM

    I love the daddy and his antics. we had baby wood ducks in out pool, the mother did the same thing as this daddy, she was flapping and dragging all over the yard, trying to lure us away. the word for the baby killdear is whatever is beyond adorable. that is the cutest baby ever

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  16. VPJuly 7, 2015 at 10:30 AM

    Love the 'realistic' captions even more than the excellent photos!

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  17. Mary HoneJuly 7, 2015 at 10:34 AM

    That baby is so dang cute. That's the same dance the sage grouse gave me the other day.

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  18. Linda W.July 7, 2015 at 10:36 AM

    Awww....the baby kildeer is a cutie!

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  19. Sylvia KJuly 7, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    Ah, such a cutie the baby is indeed!! What a great family and that's the first of these birds that I have seen! I do love your captures as always and they are always amazing!! Thanks for sharing -- yes, as always!! Hope your week is going well!!

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  20. William KendallJuly 7, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    It's a clever behavioural adaptation. I didn't know the fathers had that much involvement, so that is a surprise.

    I have seen killdeer mothers do that, and while I've seen the nest, I've never seen young killdeers.

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  21. LowellJuly 7, 2015 at 11:42 AM

    Great post. I love daddy trying to trick you! Fascinating!

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  22. John @ Beans and I on the LooseJuly 7, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    I don't think I have ever seen young ones before but I have seen the faking hurt scene.

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  23. RedPatJuly 7, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    I love to hear the kildeers and I've seen that broken wing trick before too! They are like little male soccer players faking injuries - the women don't do that! ;-))

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  24. HalcyonJuly 7, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    Smart birds!

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  25. RoseJuly 7, 2015 at 3:31 PM

    I love how they try to trick us...they sure put on a good act.

    That baby is just simply adorable...great shots on all of these.

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  26. RevrunnerJuly 7, 2015 at 4:44 PM

    That last shot reminds me of some men soccer players. :-)

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  27. UnknownJuly 7, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    Wonderful pictures and that 'dad' is a very clear bird..

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  28. Andrea @ From The SolJuly 7, 2015 at 6:49 PM

    Cropped or not he/she is the cutest little bird ever. I love the Kildeers and have seen the routine of faking injury too, only there were no babies, just a nest full of eggs. This is a wonderful series and how fortunate you were to run across them.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  29. mickJuly 7, 2015 at 6:51 PM

    A great series of photos and especially good to get even a distant photo of the baby!

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  30. 21 WitsJuly 7, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    What a pretty bird!

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  31. Jenn JilksJuly 7, 2015 at 7:26 PM

    What fun!

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  32. TexWisGirlJuly 7, 2015 at 8:30 PM

    i love those babies - striped cotton balls on toothpicks. :)

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  33. GreenComotionJuly 7, 2015 at 10:57 PM

    Very unique, protective and smart birds, Tina!
    Love those tall legs.
    Water birds, are they?
    Have a Wonderful Day!
    Peace :)

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  34. CloudiaJuly 7, 2015 at 11:03 PM

    This scene, and you care of it, touched me today!




    ( '>
    /))
    //""

    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral

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  35. RandyJuly 7, 2015 at 11:36 PM

    The baby is too cute.

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  36. UnknownJuly 8, 2015 at 1:22 AM

    Great captures! The baby is adorable.

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  37. LeaJuly 8, 2015 at 1:32 AM

    Great series of photos!
    Happy Wild Bird Wednesday!

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  38. CarlettaJuly 8, 2015 at 1:58 AM

    Love these tricksters. :) That little one is so cute.

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  39. Adam JonesJuly 8, 2015 at 4:44 AM

    The little one is so cute.

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  40. eileeninmdJuly 8, 2015 at 5:33 AM

    They do have interesting behavior, pretending to be hurt. Love the adorable chick and cute killdeer! Have a happy day!

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  41. MersadJuly 8, 2015 at 6:05 AM

    I just wanted to let you know that I have included your blog in my "Top 10 Wildlife Blogs You Need to Follow" List. The post is on my blog now.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  42. DarlaJuly 8, 2015 at 9:16 AM

    You got some great shots of the family. I liked the daddy's trick. I wonder how they got their name.

    Darla

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  43. AnonymousJuly 8, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    wow- what interesting birds...and the baby kildeer has to be the cutest bird I have ever seen!

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  44. DebbieJuly 8, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    gorgeous images, great sightings!!!

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  45. cieldequimperJuly 8, 2015 at 1:08 PM

    Gosh you got the whole family!! That baby is sooooo cute!

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  46. DonnaJuly 8, 2015 at 1:47 PM

    I have never seen a baby killdeer...oh so cute!

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  47. KayJuly 8, 2015 at 5:20 PM

    We've had at least four adult killdeers hanging around on our property this year. They're beautiful birds and the chicks, as your shot shows, are cute as anything. But they make a ruckus 24/7. Seems like they've always got something to complain about!

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  48. JackJuly 8, 2015 at 8:13 PM

    What a terrific series, EG. I love the thought that dad fakes an injury to get attention away from the kids. These birds are a lot smarter than many people I know.

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  49. A Colorful WorldJuly 8, 2015 at 10:20 PM

    That baby is one of the cutest things I've ever seen! What a great encounter! Great photos!

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  50. Susan AndersonJuly 10, 2015 at 12:49 PM

    What a neat series. The baby is adorable.

    )

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