My GCG's have had some major problems this last week.
The female I originally photographed had her eggs vanish without trace sometime between Friday and Saturday afternoon last week and another pair had the same thing happen in the middle of this week - neither nest contains the slightest minuscule trace of eggshell.
The third pair - well their nest platform seems to have vanished totally.
But at least this pair have managed to do the 'business' and yesterday I was glad to see some freshly hatched babies
I spent about 5 hours in the old floating hide yesterday photographing them whenever they came in range - the parents had them on their backs in deep water and the only angle I could get was somewhat in to the sun which luckily was fairly hazy.
At the same time there was a monster stone fly hatch happening so a lot of the images look a bit like a snow storm but I very pleased with this one.
Andy, that's a fantastic image. Absolutely brilliant and the light is stunning. The best shots always seem to come through adverse conditions. I don't think I can remember a shot of yours that I like better than this one. All luck of course. Eric
I suspect that a mink might carry the eggs off, but I can't see it removing a whole nest platform, although I have seen coots and moorhens pulling other's nests to pieces for spare parts. Hate to suggest it, but it sounds a bit fishy to me if you get my meaning.
If it was mink i'd think you would not see any moorhens and coots, they go into hiding or get eaten... and their eggs. If its not, then you would probably see them acting normal.
Hello Andy,
Nature gains with every nature photographer another preserver and protector
who does not lose sight of an important part of our worth living earth.
Found this sentence a time ago and I like very much,
greetings
We loose most of the nests here every year as the snow melts the lakes rise a couple of feet which normally coinsides with the first cluch of eggs so they have to go through it all again, The Grebes have only just laid their first lot of eggs so it will be a few weeks before we see the little humbugs-very nice image with a great POV,Look forward to more
Big is great!!! Man you have to nail those chicks as well. Been dying for an opportunity like you've got. Great light and great image. Bring on some more!!!
Andy, that is just a superb picture..love the colours, composition, the story it tells. Truly wonderful.
Rats are dreadful at taking eggs as well as all kinds of smal creatures and they are good swimmers and climbers and there are more rats than people but it may well be another reason for the disappearance of eggs of course. With me here, badgers take most pheasant and duck eggs.
Beautiful! Great to see the interaction - they look pleased with themselves! Simply stunning!
My first thought was mink, but could be anything really - rats, heron, magpies? Weird to have a nest completely vanish. You'll have to set up CCTV to see if you can record the culprit!
Gorgeous shot, really tells a story. The symmetry and hazy reflections just add to it, and then there's the hitchhiking chicks!
Were the nests connected to shore by reed beds? These can be pretty matted at the base even if there are no reeds rising up and can easily support a fox's weight. There is one around here that crosses about 20 yards of this stuff to get to an island and raid the nests. If it were a smaller mammal you'd expect bits of eggshell left I'd have thought.
Gorgeous shot, really tells a story. The symmetry and hazy reflections just add to it, and then there's the hitchhiking chicks!
Were the nests connected to shore by reed beds? These can be pretty matted at the base even if there are no reeds rising up and can easily support a fox's weight. There is one around here that crosses about 20 yards of this stuff to get to an island and raid the nests. If it were a smaller mammal you'd expect bits of eggshell left I'd have thought.
Discussion
24 repliesThe female I originally photographed had her eggs vanish without trace sometime between Friday and Saturday afternoon last week and another pair had the same thing happen in the middle of this week - neither nest contains the slightest minuscule trace of eggshell.
The third pair - well their nest platform seems to have vanished totally.
But at least this pair have managed to do the 'business' and yesterday I was glad to see some freshly hatched babies
I spent about 5 hours in the old floating hide yesterday photographing them whenever they came in range - the parents had them on their backs in deep water and the only angle I could get was somewhat in to the sun which luckily was fairly hazy.
At the same time there was a monster stone fly hatch happening so a lot of the images look a bit like a snow storm but I very pleased with this one.
720 resolution does nothing for it so please have a look at a larger version here http://wildlifeinpixels.com/img/gcg/WIP00004938.jpg
Usual setup and techs
D300 + 300-800 @800mm
ISO 800
1/400th @ f8 -0.3EV
PP Bibble Pro + CS3
Hope this meets with your approval.
Thanks for looking as ever folks
I suspect that a mink might carry the eggs off, but I can't see it removing a whole nest platform, although I have seen coots and moorhens pulling other's nests to pieces for spare parts. Hate to suggest it, but it sounds a bit fishy to me if you get my meaning.
The 3 nests hit have all been very close to the edge of the island, but the successful one is about 12 - 15 feet out from any solid ground.
I think it's a bird to be honest as coots, moorhens and ducks are all happy enough.
Nature gains with every nature photographer another preserver and protector
who does not lose sight of an important part of our worth living earth.
Found this sentence a time ago and I like very much,
greetings
Bertl Menegoni
Innsbruck
Austria
Dave
JR
Dave
Tim
Greg
John
Awesome image, simply awesome! The larger version is WOW!
Rats are dreadful at taking eggs as well as all kinds of smal creatures and they are good swimmers and climbers and there are more rats than people but it may well be another reason for the disappearance of eggs of course. With me here, badgers take most pheasant and duck eggs.
Stunning, just stunning. Your hard has paid off.
Regards
Rob
My first thought was mink, but could be anything really - rats, heron, magpies? Weird to have a nest completely vanish. You'll have to set up CCTV to see if you can record the culprit!
Edwin Kats
I really like this image. I just can't stop looking at it. Just wow.
It's a wonderful picture.
Payat
Were the nests connected to shore by reed beds? These can be pretty matted at the base even if there are no reeds rising up and can easily support a fox's weight. There is one around here that crosses about 20 yards of this stuff to get to an island and raid the nests. If it were a smaller mammal you'd expect bits of eggshell left I'd have thought.
Were the nests connected to shore by reed beds? These can be pretty matted at the base even if there are no reeds rising up and can easily support a fox's weight. There is one around here that crosses about 20 yards of this stuff to get to an island and raid the nests. If it were a smaller mammal you'd expect bits of eggshell left I'd have thought.