Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust
Linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Killdeer
The charadrius vociferus is a common sight along the Gulf Coast. Their high pitched calls are very distinct, so when I hear them I just follow the sound. Foraging on open ground with low or no vegetation, this species is the least water-associated of all shorebirds. They run in spurts, stopping suddenly every so often to check their progress, probably hoping to unearth an insect. These shorebirds are very skittish and scare easily. I always feel badly whenever I come upon them without realizing, causing them to shriek and fly away in fear.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust
Linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust
Linking to Anni's I'd Rather B Birdin'
what a cutie bird. i really enjoy the quotes you pick with you posts. i love the idea of grooming my soul. so true. i think it is daily work. enjoy your day. ( :
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I've ever come across one of these beauties in my safaris near Tampa. Humm.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites!!! I love their eyes...so huge.
ReplyDeleteAnni @ I'd Rather B Birdin'
and
Hootin' Anni's
Ya gotta wonder why some species are so fearful and others so fearless -- like chickadees.
ReplyDeleteThey do look like gentle souls.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are really good. I see these all the time at the reservoir where I walk in summer, but I've never gotten a good photo of one. They are ground nesters; and they use that running technique to draw us walkers away from their nests. When we're a safe distance from the nest, they take off flying and circle back behind us again.
ReplyDeleteWe had these near the area I grew up as a child. When you heard their calls in March you knew spring was here to stay. Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteThe quotes that you share are always so wonderful, Gail! Love your sweet bird...I don't think I've ever seen one before.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day! Hugs
just beautiful shots showing off their huge eye. :)
ReplyDeletei have one that has wintered in the yard - inside the circle driveway. that patch of grass is his, apparently. :)
I think it's their lovely big eyes that make them so appealing!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got these fine pictures of this illusive bird. He had a great color scheme.
ReplyDeleteinteresting bird. Such long legs for such a short body
ReplyDeleteBeautiful clear captures.
ReplyDeleteLovely shots Gail, I've only seen a couple of these in Florida, and its only when they preen you can see the beautiful colours that are normally hidden.
ReplyDeleteTake care Gordon.
God sure painted the earth with varied critters! Kildeer can be found here at the state park on the big lake. I've seen them in the parking lot there.
ReplyDeleteFinally, a bird we have in common!
ReplyDeleteThe farmers around here used to call them the stupid birds for their habit of building their nests in gravelled areas; including driveways and gravelled secondary roads!
WHAT!!? My gosh, a post dedicated to me. ??? my goodness. *shy chuckles*.
ReplyDeleteOk - killdeer huh? I thought these were sandpipers. See I need you to educate me on them-thar birdies!!! lol
You are such a wonderful friend. Now I have my curiosity up up up. *another shy chuckle*
I love watching these little birds.
ReplyDeleteThere's something goofy-cute about wading birds.. the way they'll run in and out and along the shoreline. Fine shots, Gail.
ReplyDeleteVery common bird in our area....when I walk, I like to try to find the nest, which is generally among rocks alongside a gravel road!
ReplyDeleteI always wondered who they were. Saw them a lot at the each.
ReplyDeleteI love these sweet birds. They are so darn cute, great shots.
ReplyDeleteare you sure you aren't part bird?
ReplyDeleteseriously, i think you are and i think "they" know you are :)
Gail, superb photographs of the Killdeer!
ReplyDeleteIt's really interesting to approach them during nesting season and watch their "broken wing" act to lead you away from the nest.
Great post!
Wonderful photos! They have beautiful eyes!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful! Killdeers are about the only "shore birds" we have around here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful shore bird, I too am drawn to those big brown eyes!!
ReplyDeleteThese are great images, really beautiful light!!
They have such a pretty collar and eyebrow.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. This bird is sure sign of spring when they arrive here.
ReplyDeleteBig eyes!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was working, one of these birds decided to make a nest on the front lawn of the office building. Right in the middle of the lawn there were 3 eggs but the nest was not much of a nest. Each time we walked by the nest she would jump off and run away like she had a broken wing. I read that is a way to distract intruders away from the nest.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the up close of the eye, Look at that ring around the eye. What would we do without a camera?
Just look at those eyes and Look at those legs. This is one good looking bird.. Love your photos.
ReplyDeleteHugs~
I love these little guys. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteSo charming! Made me smile.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of this beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteThe eyes are really great.
Great post.
They're such a cute bird, but I always think they're kind of stupid for making their nests on the ground. Why would you do that if you were a bird?
ReplyDeleteThese birds are a welcome sight come later spring...and yes they are skittish but I love their call.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots, Gail! We actually have a flock of Killdear on our property that have been here for a couple of months now. We are just north of San Antonio Texas, so I'm guessing they got lost on their way to the coast! We are just a couple of miles south of the Guadalupe river, but have no open water on our property. I sure have been enjoying them, though!
ReplyDeleteSeze pleasure I hope someday to get done. Lens
ReplyDeleteVery nice series again :-)