Alan Melle
07-08-2008, 10:23 AM
This Killdeer is shielding the nest and eggs from the sun in a hot climate. The ambient temperature was 98° F and the ground temperature exceeded 125° F. Both adults incubate the eggs and periodically the sitter would leave the nest and fly off to a nearby pond for a good soaking and then return to the nest. This one has just returned and you can see the wet feathers on the bird’s breast. The wet feathers help the bird stay cool and keep the eggs from getting too hot. The birds stand over the eggs during the day and only actually sit on them after the sun goes down. At least this gave me a chance for an image of the Killdeer with the eggs.
As for proper sun angle…. this is the best it gets! The birds keep their back to the sun to provide the maximum amount of shade to the eggs. They repositioned themselves frequently so that the sun was behind them all day. It worked, all three eggs hatched Sunday!
<O:pD300, 600mm & 1.4xTC, SB-800 FP flash on manual at full power<O:p
As for proper sun angle…. this is the best it gets! The birds keep their back to the sun to provide the maximum amount of shade to the eggs. They repositioned themselves frequently so that the sun was behind them all day. It worked, all three eggs hatched Sunday!
<O:pD300, 600mm & 1.4xTC, SB-800 FP flash on manual at full power<O:p