House of Feathers - Episode 2
Still the same afternoon as Episode 1… it was all too good to be true so I knew I would be staying as long as I could. I decided I would leave once the nest was in shadows from the setting sun - at that time it would definitely mean it was time for me to hoof it back through the woods to get to my car.
I honestly cannot believe how many opportunities I had with this parent and little one! In years past the nest was more hidden within the grasses and cattails - this year I had the best window into the nest I had ever had. Also in years past I never saw a young one on a parent’s back other than a couple of times for a split second - this little one kept putting on quite the show!
It is fascinating to watch the parents immediately teaching their young that they have to work to eat. They do not just give the grub, insect, worm or whatever to the chick - they keep teasing them before they finally give them whatever it is to eat - incredible…
Tip to tip -finally the chick gets a little something to eat…
I love seeing this viewpoint of the incredible body of the little one…
Out of nowhere the wind kicked up and the little one decided flatter on the back would be better!
Looks like the chick is sitting in the back of a convertible car… :)
Once again flopped over…
The wind really picked up!
Just incredible…
A few very quick quiet moments ….
And then….
You know that I was wishing I could have stayed all night watching them….
It is hard to see in this shot… but there is spot on the left side of the egg as we look at it, that shows a spot on the outer shell that has become “thin”… One of the first signs that the next little one is getting closer to leaving the egg… Typically the second chick is born within 24-48 hours of the first chick..
Time for the chick to try and get into the feathers again… wanting serious nap time now….
How precious is this… ? It is exhausting trying to get into those feathers so needed to take a break -
Soon after the previous shot the little one did a face plant.. got up and decided to walk around to the other side…
I was so wishing that I could stay all night… I kept looking at the sun going down behind me and revising when I needed to leave…
Constant attention…
These birds just melt my heart…
After this shot I knew that I needed to leave… I had to get home to have something to eat and hit the hay as I was setting the alarm very early for my return….I could not wait to get back!
Episode 3 - The next morning