Missing Mate

Gallery: AvianPosted May 23, 2010176 views17 comments

I visited the San Joaquine marshes in So. Cal about a week ago and found this particular bird being very vocal. It was non stop. I asked a photographer if there was something wrong with this little guy and the photographer said that it's mate was killed about a week earlier by a Peregrine Falcon. Since that time he has been crying, and it looks like searching for it's mate. It's the sadest thing I've seen in a long time. Hearing him cry and search all day long is very heart wrenching. I went back today and this little guy is still in the same marsh and while not as vocal as he's been he still seems out of sorts. Does anyone know if they mate for life??? Sure seems like it. Anyway, I thought I'd post a picture of him/her. Not the prettiest wing position but I have not been very successful at getting these guys on the wing. I'll keep trying. Thanks for looking. Please see larger version for better detail.
D300S
200-400 @ 400
ISO 500
1/1600
F/6.3
Manual Mode
Auto WB
Spot metering
HH

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on May 23, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Don't see killdeer flight shots very often and this one is top notch. Nice front lighting, great exposure. The underbelly is quite striking with the white and the v-neck sweater. I can't answer your question about their mating habits. It's a sad story, hope it works out for him/her.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 24, 2010 at 12:07 AM

David, a Very excellent flight shot - and a sad story.
It's hard to hear and see other creatures mourning.

Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on May 24, 2010 at 12:30 AM

Very nice flight shot of a species that isn't easy to do.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 24, 2010 at 2:17 AM

A fine flight shot of a pretty difficult species. BNA reports that Killdeer do not mate for life. The pair bonds can last more than one year, with a fraction lasting more than three years, but generally not. Sorry.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on May 24, 2010 at 5:46 AM

Lovely shot David and quite a sad story.

Joe

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on May 24, 2010 at 7:12 AM

Great capture David

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on May 24, 2010 at 9:27 AM

Beautiful detail in the Killdeer. I don't know that I seen a flight of one that is as good as this. Congrats.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on May 24, 2010 at 10:57 AM

David,

This is a great killdeer flight shot, love the background, light, details, sharpness and the comp you used. Killdeer are difficult to expose properly and you have done a wonderful job of it. I would be thrilled to have this in my files.

I hope it finds another mate soon.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 24, 2010 at 12:25 PM

Excellent flight shot. Sad story.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on May 24, 2010 at 3:02 PM

Very nice flight shot and details

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 24, 2010 at 3:33 PM

Great shot and story David, these guys are tough to get in flight

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on May 24, 2010 at 5:31 PM

David, excellent flight shot of such a small bird. Fine work!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on May 24, 2010 at 5:57 PM

David:
Outstanding!! Congrats on such a fine BIF shot of the small killdeer. And the BG could not be better for this bird.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by denise ippolito on May 24, 2010 at 9:54 PM

David, I never saw a Kildeer flight shot that I can remember. Very nice pose and details. Terribly sad story. Great shot!

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 24, 2010 at 10:16 PM

Wow!!! Excellent flight shot David

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on May 25, 2010 at 6:41 AM

I think the wing position is just fine David. I'm impressed that you got this species in flight, and did it well too. Excellent exposure, nice head angle.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on May 25, 2010 at 7:55 AM

David- I spent an afternoon on the Massachusetts shore last week watching and photographing these birds. I came nowhere near capturing one in flight, as they are incredibly fast, as you know. Your capture of this Killdeer is nothing short of amazing. That, along with the sad story you convey makes for a very special post.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments