Babies on Board

Gallery: AvianPosted July 11, 2013145 views9 comments

I have never seen this behaviour before although I have seen Jacana chicks on a few occasions, but none this small.
The male does everything in raising these youngsters apart from laying the eggs!
In this image the two chicks are hiding under dad's wings with just their legs dangling.
Taken on the shoreline of Rhino Island, Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.
EOS 1DX
500mm F4 MkII
ISO800
1/3200
F7.1
EV-0.33
hand-held from open vehicle

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on July 11, 2013 at 12:23 PM

Weird with all those legs sticking out. Beautiful shot. Nicely composed. Good detail in the bird and the colors really shine.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 11, 2013 at 10:19 PM

Are you sure there are just two in there, Ken? I could swear I'm counting at least six small legs. Nice job on the exposure of the whites and a great catch. That raised leg in the rear is just wild-I'm not sure how he's staying balanced.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on July 12, 2013 at 12:20 AM

What a strange way to carry young. Very cool image ken....it took me a few seconds of looking at it to figure out what in the world was going on.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 12, 2013 at 2:26 AM

Allen, Dennis and Kurt,

Thanks very much for your comments, much appreciated

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on July 12, 2013 at 11:18 AM

Very odd to see this many legs on one bird! Great capture! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 13, 2013 at 2:34 AM

Sharon,

Thanks

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on July 13, 2013 at 7:01 AM

Great moment captured very well Ken. An interesting way to carry chicks.

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on July 14, 2013 at 2:29 AM

Claude,

Thanks

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on July 14, 2013 at 3:51 AM

A very cool behaviour shot, Ken.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments