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Common Goldeneye
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Common Goldeneye

by KC Choo

Gallery: AvianPosted July 2, 201089 views11 comments
These babies (less than a week old) were fending for themselves in a little pond near Logan Lake, B.C. I am not sure what happened to the mother, and don't really know enough about their behaviour as to whether she abandons them quite early on in life. Anyway, one evening there were seven and the next morning I saw only four. But, as you can see, they already know how to dive for food.

1D MkIV, 500mm + 1.4X, 1/640 @ f5.6, ISO800, tripod, overcast early morning, no flash.

Thanks for looking; your comments please.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 2, 2010 at 1:24 PM
Cute little guys! I would think that the parents would still be around with them this young, but I don't know much about Goldeneye's behavior either Kwan. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 2, 2010 at 2:02 PM
super cute, KC! great poses, and comp.
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 2, 2010 at 2:13 PM
A very nice presentation and I especially like how it shows 1 diving. The plashes of water are a good touch.

I'd be surprised if they are abandoned so early - good luck to these chicks, at least they do have the ability to dive.

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 2, 2010 at 2:41 PM
Cute cubed, Kwan. Excellent detail and a nice low angle. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Harbour on July 2, 2010 at 2:54 PM
I like the natural colors, the nice detail, the poses of the birds, and your story about them fending for themselves so young. :toast:
Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments
Comment posted by denise ippolito on July 2, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Very nice capture w/ good details. Regarding the behavior: The young leave the nest one to two days after hatching, and the female leads them to areas where food is plentiful and they feed themselves. Females abandon the young before they can fly, usually at 5 to 6 weeks of age, but sometimes earlier. Not sure if that helps!
Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 2, 2010 at 3:53 PM
CUTE is an understatement. Nice capture! :toast:
Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on July 2, 2010 at 4:20 PM
Thanks, Denise! I also believe their nest can be 25 feet above ground and the young simply jump off!
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 2, 2010 at 8:10 PM
Neat Kwan! Love the varying poses, the flying water and your low angle.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 4, 2010 at 4:25 PM
This is a precious image KC, love the soft light, the natural colors, setting, details and sharpness.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 11, 2010 at 8:42 AM
Really nice! Love the diving action of the one, with others faces clear & sharp :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments