Sad Story

From time to time, one chick hatches much later than the other, which is called Asychronous. The survival rate of the late hatching chick is not good. Normally all three Snowy Plover eggs hatch the same morning and the chicks spend a couple of hours drying off under the adult and then makes short trips to began feeding. Later in the day, the adult(s) will move the chicks out of the nest site, never to return, as the food supply is in other areas.

I was documenting this chicks struggle 45 minutes after hatching as it pushed and pulled itself through the sand, trying to join the other 2 chicks in the feeding area. The adult, much to my surprise, came back to brood the chick, which made for an awkward composition. In the end, the chick could not keep up and the adult had to abandon him in order to provide and protection and brooding for the other two.

Thanks for looking.

Hugh

Very sad, indeed. Too bad the little guy didn't make it. Do you know if the parents continued to sit on the egg after the other two hatched? I hope the other two will make it.

Oh my High this is such a sad story and to think we can see the need but are helpless. Thanks for sharing this very intimate and touching moment. What a privelege you had to document this. thanks for sharing.

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Originally Posted by Axel Hildebrandt

Very sad, indeed. Too bad the little guy didn't make it. Do you know if the parents continued to sit on the egg after the other two hatched? I hope the other two will make it.

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The other two had hatched the evening before this one. The chicks stayed under the adults all night and were ready to head out in the morning before this one hatched. Only one chick survived; the other was probably predated by a Laughing Gull. Out of the 4 nests at this location, each with 3 eggs, only 2 chicks survived.

Hugh

Sad indeed, but unfortunately, especially in my experience with piping plovers, most chicks do not survive to fledge. This is a nice behavior image, Hugh, that almost tells the story by itself. As you note above, the composition is a bit awkward. It would be stronger with more room on the left.

Maybe it's a stretch, but the edginess of the composition and its unbalanced feel contribute to this image and the story it tells, in my opinion.
As sad as it is to witness, it is also a testiment to the great power of nature and this parent's instinct, finely honed over time to do the best for the survival of the species.
Thank you, Hugh.

"Awkward composition" aside, this is a very telling image especially combined with your account of the events. A very vulnerable little fellow...

Sometimes, the story behind the picture overrides the usual criteria which we will judge it with. This is such a case. Very sad and moving story behind this image..thanks for sharing.

Powerful picture and story, great job documenting the behavior. Thanks for sharing.