Mating Killdeer – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last week when I took my Mom to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge we were fortunate to see and photograph Killdeer mating while on the auto tour route. Mom had never seen them mate before and I was able to warn her beforehand that they were going to because the male displayed some courtship behavior prior to mounting the female. I fired something like 133 shots while they were mating but in most of those images one or both of the plovers had their heads turned away from the camera so those images will end up in my delete bin when I have time to cull them.
Listen to the sounds of a distraction display and flight call of Killdeer here.
Killdeer can have up to three broods per year but many times the second and third clutch of eggs are laid because the first clutch fails.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Killdeer photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great photos, as usual, but remember this is a family blog:)
Ian, by the time you commented I really needed a laugh yesterday, thank you. See today’s post as to why.
Great shots and narrative. Love the killdeers eyes. Thanks Mia.
I always enjoy your facts almost as much as your beautiful images….
Ccol photos Mia
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Amazing photo! Thank you for adding the facts about killdeer too.