Leave My Kids Alone

Gallery: AvianPosted May 24, 2011183 views11 comments

When I was at San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, I noticed that a couple Avocets trying to separate some Mallard ducklings from their moms and they running them down. I captured this image of the mom finally going after the Avocet. The ducklings were to the left out of frame behind a rock from my position.

I wish I had upped my ISO and increased the f stop to increase the DOF so the Avocet was sharper. Oh well. This behavior was very interesting to watch.

Cropped to 70% of full frame.

C & Cs are appreciated.

05-20-2011 7:00 a.m.
Canon 7D
EF 300 2.8L
Exp Comp = - 1/3
F/5.6
1/800
ISO 400
Handheld

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on May 24, 2011 at 10:56 PM

That is interesting behavior! Good job with the capture. I think I'd like a bit more room on the sides, especially the right side. Very nice reflections as well.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on May 24, 2011 at 10:57 PM

Really great behavioral image. The action trumps the DOF. I'm not sure if I understand, though. Were the avocets trying to hurt the ducklings?

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on May 24, 2011 at 11:35 PM

Great behavioral shot!
This of year, ALL moms are on high alert!
NO ONE wants anything else close to their babies!
The only ones that seem to actually hurt or take the babies, though, are the crows, gulls, and terns (and raptors, of course)
I haven't seen any shorebirds hurt anyone else's little ones.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on May 24, 2011 at 11:36 PM

Here is an image taken the day before. Overcast but interesting action. Shows the Avocet after one of the duckings. It got back to Mom OK.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on May 24, 2011 at 11:37 PM

Harry, nice capture on interaction between different species. I have not heard of avocets eating ducklings, but maybe they do.
Thanks for sharing this interesting photo.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 24, 2011 at 11:47 PM

Hi Harry,
Just a reminder that you are only supposed to post one image per thread. The second one is an excellent image and deserves it's one thread imo.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on May 25, 2011 at 10:11 AM

A nice image Harry. I like the interaction a lot. I do wish the Avocet was sharper, but not a big deal at all.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on May 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM

I just got done telling Nate how much I love seeing two different species interacting in one shot, and here I am again with another treat for the eye :^)

Happy to forego the extra level of sharpness with an image like this, real nice capture Harry :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 26, 2011 at 6:28 PM

Great inter-action and behavior between the species, a nice story telling image Harry

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on May 26, 2011 at 6:52 PM

Very cool interactionb between the duck and the avocet Harry.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on May 27, 2011 at 11:17 AM

Hah, great shot of mom taking action!! Nice water and reflections too Harry.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments