My agriculture teacher called me yesterday and asked if I had my camera with me.  He said that there was a bird guarding her eggs on the back of campus that was putting on quite a show.  I grabbed the camera and hustled out there.  What did I find?  A long lost relative of one of our tradgang members...A killdeer!

 

 

 

No closer relative I guess, Killy never shows such hostility!

I see a new avatar pic in Kathy's future  

Could that be a distant relative from "possum squat"...?  LOL


John III

Theyre cool, wait til the little one hatch.They develop their colors at a young age and look just like adults only in miniature.

Great pics!
That is my Great-Aunt Thelma...

I had a strange experience a decade ago. I was a courier for a beltway bandit, and was near the next 'mailstop' where I would swap out the interoffice mail. I saw a killdeer standing on three legs in the gutter of the road.

You bet your fur I slowed down. When it just stayed there, I figured something was wrong, and stopped the car. As I got out and approached, she hopped up on the curb, and left two balls of gray fluff in the gutter. The two babies could not climb the curb to get to the safety of the field that they probably hatched in. Mom fussed at me and showed me what an easy meal she would be.

I picked up the two precious, vibrating birds and walked them to the center of the field, where I set them gently to earth, thanking them for the privilege. I still feel the ache in my heart as I tell this. Thanks for the pics. They are marvelous birds, making a home out of nothing and defending it against impossible enemies, sacrificing themselves to allow their family a chance to escape. A Miwa'tani of the bird world.

Killdeer

Great pics. Gregg. I have some that nest behind My house also. I like when the little ones get all feathered out and run with the adults. They look like exact miniatures.

Nice pictures Gregg.  

Thanks for the comments folks!

Kathy, I will tell your Aunt Thelma you said hi.  Everyone on campus will be glad to know the name of our resident Killdeer!    

QuoteOriginally posted by Killdeer:
 A Miwa'tani of the bird world.

Killdeer

Your posts require the use of google more than anything else I read.  Always something interesting to learn!  :cool:

As a kid I had one that nested in the front yard ever year.  She did not like it when I mowed the grass.  I was always amazed at how the eggs blend in with the surroundings.  Gregg you are doing good with that new camera.

Pretty birds. Nice pics!

One of my favorite birds.