A Season of Killdeer
“Look!” That word always makes my heart jump a little as I wonder what new marvel nature has in store for me. I rushed to the back window of the RV to see what was out there.
A Killdeer!! Just walking in the grass behind the RV only a couple of feet away. What an incredible photography opportunity!
And that’s not all!! Behind it 3 teeny tiny little hatchlings followed by another adult. OMG!!
The Killdeer walked right past my tripod, which was waiting outside for an opportunity to present itself. But these guys were too close for me to rush outside. I watched in awe as they passed behind the RV and then, as quietly and slowly as possible, I snuck outside to begin photographing.
I wonder what life is like when you are only as big as a buttercup?
I always wondered why they are called Killdeer. It’s not like they could possibly kill a deer!! But then it dawned on me while listening. They say their name when they fly! Just take a listen…
By the way, a group of Killdeer is called a Season.
I see the Killdeer almost every day here on the estuary in Campbell River, BC. They are not far away, but being only the size of a robin, they are pretty small in the frame even at 400mm. What an opportunity to have them come up and visit us on the grass.
I love it when the wildlife comes to me because I know it is their choice.
After getting a few shots of these incredibly cute little birds, one of the adults flew to the other side of me and put on her “look at me I’m injured” act. Seriously! It’s something Killdeer are known for. They try to attract attention away from their chicks by pretending to be injured like they have broken wing – easy prey for any predator that might threaten their babies.
I got a few shots of the act, and then decided to stop shooting and go back inside the RV so the family could get back together. As a wildlife photographer, I don’t like to do anything that changes the behaviour of the animals I am photographing.
Once the family was back together and had moved a little bit farther away, I snuck back outside for more photos.
I knew the chicks couldn’t fly and they wouldn’t be able to get away quickly should any preditor arrive. And after trying to be all stealth and not scare them, I was horrified to see a cat doing the hunting cat prowl about to attack one of the chicks. So I did something I never thought I would do. I ran up and scared them away. The last thing I want to do is have the birds be scared of me, and I didn’t want to end this incredible photo opportunity, but I wasn’t going to sit there and watch a cat eat my photography subject either!
I was so mad!! The poor helpless little chicks that couldn’t even fly! And now they would probably never come back. But at least they weren’t dead.
(I had some words with the RV park resident who thinks the pets-on-leash rule doesn’t apply to her and her cats.)
I only hope these beautiful babies survived and will be amongst the Killdeer I see on the estuary for years to come.
This is the gear I used to make these photos:
- Gitzo Tripod
- Gitzo Fluid Gimbal Head
- Canon 7D Mark II
- Canon 400mm f/5.6L Lens
See my Gear Page for more information.
I love this gear setup because it allows me to continue photographing the subjects I love despite not being able to handle the weight of the gear. Ray sets it up for me behind the RV every day. I spend a lot of time sitting outside enjoying nature and when something interesting happens I can jump up and photograph!
Great photos and an enjoyable post. Nice to “hear” from you, Anne. My wife and I live next to a nature preserve, and the birds are our favorite neighbors. I trust Canada is handling the Covid-19 crisis far better than the U.S. Be safe.
Thanks Terry! Isn’t it wonderful to be so close to a nature preserve. I love being here on the estuary with all the photography opportunities right at my back door. Things are going okay here Covid-wise. I don’t know how long it will stay that way though. Stay safe! And thanks for your comments 🙂
What lovely little birds. Thanks for sharing those pictures with us Anne, and the audio was a great idea, much appreciated. They make a lot of noise for such little birds!
I’ve been taking photos of birds too but regrettably only on our feeders, we aren’t as blessed as you with such a great location. I used the DSLR Controller app to operate my Canon EOS 80D. The app allowed me to set up the camera looking out of the window and whilst relaxing in another room use live view to monitor activity, operate all the camera functions, then upload selected images to my phone: a great app.
Very best wishes.
Hi Don! Yes, they do make quite a lot of noise. They are lot bigger in the air when they are flying but once they land they seem quite small. I guess they have a large wing span for the size of bird they are. I’ve just started trying to do remote photography like you are by capturing the birds that come close to the RV when I am not outside. Thanks for the app recommendation, I will check that out. There is always more to learn and new things to try with photography! Hope is all is going well with you. Thanks for your visit and comments!
Wonderful photos of such beautiful birds. The chicks are too cute for words! (Although “adorable” comes to mind.)
The audio wouldn’t pay for whatever reason, but I know what killdeer sound like. When I was a youngster, I found a killdeer “nest,” just eggs laid on the ground. I didn’t know much about birds at that age and was worried about the eggs lying there seemingly unprotected, so I placed chunks of moss around the eggs to make a sort of “nest.” The poor parent killdeer did its “broken wing” distraction display while anxiously repeating, “Killdeer!” I didn’t go back to the “nest,” so I don’t know if the killdeer were able to raise chicks.
Regarding that cat, I would have done what you did. The cat did not need a meal, and certainly not a meal of those chicks. I’m glad you “had words” with the cat owner.
Thank you for sharing these priceless photos. It’s great that you have a setup you can use without having to lug gear around. I hope you’re feeling better as time goes on. No fun to not feel so good (I know how that is).
All the best to you and Ray.
Hi Suzy, I learned that the Killdeer lay their eggs on the ground in gravel sometimes and the eggs blend right in and are difficult to see. Sometimes they are in parking lots! I don’t know where these Killdeer have their nests, but the RV park is gravel, so they could be anywhere. I’m sure the Killdeer found their nest again even after you tried to hide it with moss 🙂 I wonder if they know when the humans are trying to help them?
Fingers crossed I think I am improving ever so slightly. I have good days and bad days, but maybe not quite so many bad days as before. My activity level is still pretty low though.
Glad you enjoyed the photos and thanks for your visit and comments. Much appreciated!
Lovely photos Anne! And good you spoke out about the cat. Glad to hear you’re enjoying life at the estuary and taking advantage of photographic opportunities that arise.
Stay well,
Laurie
Thank you Laurie! Life on the estuary is wonderful. Even when I cannot photograph, it’s nice to be able to sit outside and watch the comings and goings. Since it is tidal, there is always something happening. I hope you are doing well and staying healthy over on Gabriola. I bet it’s nice to have that extra bit of distance from everyone on the “big island” 🙂
Awesome set of images, the light in some of them is incredible!!!