After my 10K walk in the area of Pollywog Ponds, and when the morning temps are hovering in the low 80 degree mark with humidity high, I have a resting area where I sit a spell to cool down before I get back in the car with the air conditioner pumped up to high. When I finished my walk early one Sunday morning in May, I was hearing the call of an alarmed Killdeer; perhaps two. I scouted out the area where I dry off a bit, and found ‘em. A male at a distance and a female on the rock!!
As I walked toward my make-shift seat of a boulder, she got frantic. I stopped and watched her and followed the male as he left the area but still kept within close range…
When I prepared to leave and get in my car, I found the male ... he was atop a pile of stone bidding me adieu...
KILLDEER
photos taken: Pollywog Ponds
habitat map: Killdeer
photos taken: Pollywog Ponds
habitat map: Killdeer
After I got home, I realized I had taken photos of the lady killdeer and her nesting area. Four eggs.
Another day I decided to drive to Rockport, Texas to walk the beach park and head toward the nesting area the town and park’s managers cordon off for the yearly influx of shorebird nesters. It’s somewhat a slow time of year [the activity will become much more busy later this month], but there were terns, seagulls, and skimmers on the grounds…and on the other side of the water, the rookery was showing signs of mating rituals and nest building with the likes of herons, egrets, seagulls, and spoonbills.
TRI-COLOR HERON [mating plumage]
REDDISH EGRET [courting ritual]
photos taken: Rockport Beach Sanctuary
habitat map: Heron, Egret
LAUGHING GULL
photos taken: Rockport Beach Sanctuary
habitat map: Seagull
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From Marie: Wonderful killdeer photos! Really stunning!
ReplyDeleteThe Tri Color Heron is gorgeous! That is a big bill on the Laughing Gull. I figured those Killdeer must have a nest. Your picture with the tail fanned out is gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am happy to hear the nesting areas are roped off. The Killdeer is so sweet. I love the waders too. Lovely series of photos. Thanks fro hosting, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeletesuch gorgeus images of the killdeer. Never seen such before. AAnd what a great surprice to find the eggs :) Beautiful Anni, what a treat :)
ReplyDeleteNice work Anni. It's always satisfying to find the nest. Shows a great deal of skill and patience. Birds don't give up their nest sites easily. Thanks for the link-up today. You might like the books featured on my blog.
ReplyDeleteI once accidentally walked right up to a Killdeer on the nest and she held her ground,looking like the one in your photo. I did not see the eggs immediately but they were very close by. Very beautiful set of images!
ReplyDeleteGreat to see your close-ups of the Killdeer and her eggs.
ReplyDeleteI love those ruffled feathers and some of the poses! Bird photography requires a sense of humor! I just saw baby flycatchers in a mailbox cubby. They sure were cute! Enjoy your weekend! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Killdeer images. I've always liked those birds. How exciting to have seen the nest. Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeletethose Killdeer pics are great, we have several families just a couple days ago saw the babies down by the pond, we always mark the nest with a brick or something so not to disturb during mowing. thank you for sharing! beautiful pics of the heron(s) also
ReplyDeleteAnni, what a great find, the male Killdeer. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome captures of these fine feathered friends. I love the colors of the killdeer.
ReplyDeleteCaught some lovely creatures.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking shots, Anni....they're gorgeous!!!...)JP
ReplyDeleteHello Anni,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of the different birds.
All photos are beautiful and perfectly sharp.
Photo 2 is my favorite.
Best regards, Irma