Sand martin chicks with ticks (Ixodes lividus)I think !
Fred D came up to photograph these at the weekend and said the chicks were covered in ticks. I'd never seen this before so I had a quick session yesterday and this one brood in particular seemed pretty bad.
Its probably because they are in the same holes as last year. Will be interesting to see if, and when they drop off.
D200 Sigma 50-500
500 ISO
80th @f11
JohnR
Mods - Would you delete the post without the pic please
Ta
Hello John, It is actually worse then when I was there. They seem to have pick up some more......Pooor birds....Good picture by the way!Probably because it is not square
Kind regards
Frederic
They'll be glad to lose their extra eyebrows I'm sure. Horrible things ticks, I picked up a deer tick myself a while back, not pleasant. Interesting image though John.
Sad to see but a very good natural history shot. Does anyone know why the ticks always seem to be around the eye area? My local blackbird population looks very similar at the moment.
I cannot stand these parasites, always used to get loads on the dogs (sheep country). Good interesting image John. By the way, does the chick on the left have a deformed foot or is it just the way it is positioned?
Discussion
14 repliesFred D came up to photograph these at the weekend and said the chicks were covered in ticks. I'd never seen this before so I had a quick session yesterday and this one brood in particular seemed pretty bad.
Its probably because they are in the same holes as last year. Will be interesting to see if, and when they drop off.
D200 Sigma 50-500
500 ISO
80th @f11
JohnR
Mods - Would you delete the post without the pic please
Ta
Phil.
Kind regards
Frederic
Simon
Robert
No -I've checked to other shots and its ok. Good job ! - the little fella has enough worries !
Cheers
JohnR
Love the image as much as the Birds dislikes the thicks (I hope).
Its a hard life for the chick
Ron
Calum