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Roadrunner nestling
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Roadrunner nestling

by Rob Graham

Gallery: AvianPosted September 6, 201093 views9 comments
I took this this morning in our local cemetery. The pair of roadrunners that we have had here all summer have successfully nested a second time, this time hatching 3 chicks. I believe this nestling to be the oldest, as it is the largest. It should be about 8 or 9 days old, based on when I first observed adults carrying food into the nest and leaving with fecal sacs. All week I thought there was only 2 chicks, and I didn't observe the second chick until 3 days ago. This morning, as seen in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMrbMFoTiGg , there are 3 nestlings in residence, with the largest already venturing out onto the branches when an adult approaches with food. Not the flashiest video, but good enough for me :). For the record, I'm standing across the road, on a small step stool, and the adult was not at all bothered by my presence. The nest is ~12 feet above the road on a low hanging branch. 7D, ISO 800, 1/80, f/8, 300mm, small crop.

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 6, 2010 at 5:54 PM
This is very good, and a lot better than anyone could expect. I've only seen one roadrunner nest here in AZ and it was impossible for me to even see the adult once it got in. IK'd be thrilled to have taken this.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 6, 2010 at 6:11 PM
I've never seen one of their nests! What a find and a nice job getting a clear view in. Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Tom Webster on September 6, 2010 at 9:18 PM
Greetings Rob...Nice job getting this nestling. Roadrunners are notorious for nesting in the most cluttered habitat. Having a small opening to shoot through is quite fortuitous. I very much enjoyed your video, too. Nice job. :smile:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 73 Posts, 644 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on September 6, 2010 at 10:14 PM
very cool, Rob. great job getting a nice clean view, it sounds like you worked for it! :toast:
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 6, 2010 at 11:19 PM
You could have fooled me, Rob. I wouldn't have expected a juvenile roadrunner to be in the running for cute, but this one sure is. I like all the habitat. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on September 7, 2010 at 2:52 AM
This is indeed cool Rob. Love the camouflage of the chick. It seems to work well at first. Lucky to have found this. I would be rapt to have an image of a Roadrunner one day. :smile:

:toast:
Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Graham on September 7, 2010 at 6:45 AM
Thanks everybody. The first nest this summer was deep in a tree. Even though it had a west facing opening that I could just see in, there was a bare branch immediately above the chicks heads, which always proved to be too distracting in any photo. This nest is much more visible, with a better look at the chicks.
Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on September 7, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Beautiful capture, Rob. :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on September 7, 2010 at 7:17 PM
I love getting this intimate look at the youngster in the nest Rob. One of those shots where a bit of clutter just seems to work I think. I too enjoyed your clip.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments