Sanibel: Snowy Plover w/Chick

[Hugh J McLaughlin]

Image captured 4/28/08 on Sanibel at 60 am. This chick, and one other, hatched the previous evening and the adult is still incubating the remaining egg.

There were a total of 4 nests, each with the normal clutch of 4 eggs this year on Sanibel. Out of the 12 eggs, only 2 chicks survived, mainly to due to predation. The second nest was predated by crows 2 days before the hatch date, with all 3 eggs lost.

Also, there were some problems with photographers chasing the chicks, which not only creates a lot of stress on the chicks and adults, but usually results in no or poor images. If you see the chicks foraging on the beach, set yourself up 50 feet in front of the direction that they are moving. In no time, you will be able to capture full frame images of the little fuzz balls.

Nikon D300, 850mm, f8@1000, ISO 800 +1ev.

Thanks for looking.

Hugh

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

Very....very nice moment,I Iove this Hugh!
Nice angle,light and details

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great intimate mood, angle, setting and details. If this is not full frame I would give it more space, especially at the left side. Regarding photographing chicks, I'm with you. Sitting down at a good place and let them get close is a technique that works well for me.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Hugh this is such a sweet and touching composition and love the plants that seem to give mother and baby a little privacy. Truly an outstanding captured moment. LOVE THIS !!!!

I am so glad to see you posting again. You leave quite a void when you are posting < smile >

[Hugh J McLaughlin]

If this is not full frame I would give it more space, especially at the left side. .

Yes, it is full frame.

Hugh

[Daniel Cadieux]

The clipped tail is the only negative I can see here. I don't mind the parent's head angle as it is looking towards the chick :-) Too cute.

[Grace Scalzo]

Great image, great reminder, Hugh. You captured a nice feeling between parent and chick.

[Rich Ikerd]

Another exceptional image of these cute little guy Hugh. And great advice of how to get this type of image as well - being patient and waiting for the chick to come to you (or almost any shorebird for that matter) is the only way to go.

[Fabs Forns]

Old Man, a treat to see you posting :)

Adorable interaction and colors. Thanks for the heads up about colleagues alienating the birds, that is always sad to hear...

[Maxis Gamez]

Simply amazing! Very intimate image.

[Bob Malbon]

Hugh, Till now I could only dream of the image, thanks for posting!! Bob

[Freddy Franzella]

A beautiful moment captured! a beautiful image!

[Blake Shadle]

Hugh!! Extremely happy to have you posting on BPN! This is a very intimate image. All of the techs stuff looks great. A little more room to the left would be nice, but considering this is full frame, and the uniqueness of this moment, I'm comfortable with it being a little tight. Nice interaction.

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

Gorgeous image! I love small babies playing around :)
I am also sad to hear that several birds didn't survive, and the photographs also disturbing the birds ... :(

[Glenn Ehmke]

Stunning Hugh!

I research Hooded Plovers in Australia and I can relate to the poor nesting success - it's **** heart-breaking.

Plover chicks are so sensitive - they rely completely on remaining inconspicuous and one thing we have found through our research is that people chasing them around is extraordinarily news because (among other things) it give away their location to predators. You don't always see the chick get taken straight away - but crows and other birds are very smart and they will wait until you are gone then grab the chicks - I've seen it happen!

Good on you for pointing out the right way to photograph these birds Hugh!

Cheers,
Glenn