Lesser Nighthawk and chicks

[Jeannean Ryman]

I wasn't going to post this photo, but because of the recent posts about Troy and Cheryl's chicks not surviving, I thought I'd go ahead, because despite odds against them, they have survived! I feel very fortunate to have watched and documented their growth, so it's more of a documentary photo than an aesthetic one. The mama nighthawk nested in some rocks on the canal bank near my house. I would never have seen them, except a turtle came cruising by and she started flapping and drawing it away. I still didn't see the chicks until the turtle had moved on and she went back to them. This is when they were about 7-10 days old. They stay in a rocky area between and embankment and a field next to the canal, so no chance of clean backgrounds/foregrounds. I did a pano crop of the full frame shot to minimize the clutter. Nikon D7000/500mm f/4-P @1/125, f/5.6, ISO 640 taken in the early morning. C&C always welcome and appreciated.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Jeannean. this is so pretty! I am glad you shared this with us. The subjects are nice and sharp, I dont mind the rocks around, infact they give a sense of environment, lovely earthy colors. Well done.
sanjeev

[gail bisson]

Hi Jeannean,
WOW! I think this is an incredible shot. What a find! I have never seen a shot of a nighthawk with chicks. So rare to even get a shot of a nighthawk, much less with chicks.
I think you did the most you could aesthetically with this image but for me, this shot is all about the wonderful and rare natural history documentation.
Perfect HA on all three and love how the chicks are wrapped in momma's wings.
Congrats and well done,
Gail

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Jeannean, what I like about this, is how mama is 'cuddling' the chicks in her wing. The pano crop works well, as does the 'sepia' feel to this. Hope they grow up big and strong.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

What a sweet shot Jeannean. I love the stack positioning of the three. So nice to hear they have made it . I find it so sad how many don't so it's always great to hear of the ones that do. Your low angle works well here as does the crop. I could also see this in the traditional horizontal crop.

[Bruce Spell]

This is a superb shot. Already been said but I simply love the way she's got the two chicks wrapped in her wings. Almost human traits! I also love the expressions on each bird as they look like a family portrait. Well captured and composition looks good to me.

[David Salem]

Great rare find and I like the feel of the warm hug from the mother. Nice job with the comp and details. Well presented.

[Girish Prahalad]

excellent find. like the way the chicks are tucked in. these birds look very similar to our nightjars.

[Karl Egressy]

Great finding and a beautiful shot, Jeanneran.
I don't see anything wrong with the environment. Love the way they cuddle together.

[Grace Scalzo]

Congrats on this wonderful find and capture. In addition to what everyone else has said, I love the feet showing of the chick in front. The relaxed poses are sweet, clearly you have good field technique and were not disturbing them.

[Marina Scarr]

OMG I am envious of this find and capture. The scene is precious. The colors of the birds work well with the environment. Couldn't have asked for more. Fingers crossed that the little ones make it.

[MohsenVahedipour]

Jeannean
This is Really fantastic. Very nice moment you've captured. THE IQ is superb as well as shooting angle. As mentioned above, I would prefer a classic 2*3 horizontal frame. TFS

[Jeannean Ryman]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you liked seeing this little family. I know I sure have enjoyed watching them. I went by the nest this morning and just saw one of the chicks. Looks like mom and the other have moved on. I could tell they were getting ready to leave the nest for good (they were starting to move about on their own), but still a little bit sad to see them go. It was time though, and I'm so happy they became fledglings. A happy ending for one mama bird raising her young.