While out in the Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge this spring we ran accross a Killdeer that was quite alarmed at our presence and left no doubt about the fact that it was time for us to move on as there was nothing here to see….or was there?
While out in the Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge this spring we ran accross a Killdeer that was quite alarmed at our presence and left no doubt about the fact that it was time for us to move on as there was nothing here to see….or was there?
nature has no boss 
What a great photo. I love the tenacity and courage of Killdeer but I have always questioned their intelligence. Their “nests” are so vulnerable but somehow they work.
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Hi Alice, I guess when you have built your nest in precarious places easy for predation defense and tenasisous defense is a good trait. It is amazing how it all works out. Hop your week is off to a great start.
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superbbb
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Thanks Shahini, they are unique and interesting birds and it is so fun to watch their full range of behaviors. Hope you are having a great day.
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🙂 indeed they are
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🙂
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Awesome photo! Years ago my dad was clearing some land and this little bird was so distracting until he found her nest. She was trying to protect it by drawing him away. Unfortunately not all humans tend to be distracted and sometimes step on the nests. Beautiful little birds.
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Hi, the range of behaviors a Killdeer will display is amazing. If only we all were in tune with these behavioral displays maybe we would not step on the nest and that goes for our own nest as week.
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I love the sound they make when they are flying. We had one that thought our gravel driveway was a good place for a nest. Fortunately it learned pretty quickly that it was wrong.
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yeah, they make that cool sounds when flying away and their choice of nest sites does indeed leave a bit to be desired at least from the human perspective.
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Did you see the nest? They are so well camouflaged, I have a hard time seeing them even when someone is pointing them out. Great photo – love the red eyeliner and spots of orange in the tail. Another amazing bird!
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Hi Eliza, you will have to check in tomorrow to see if we found the nest…:-)
The nest are indeed well camouflaged and sometimes placed in obvious places. I usually don’t see those colors in the wings of a killdeer unless, liken this photo, they are using them for a warning display.
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Love that expression!
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Yes indeed no explanation required as to what that guy is saying. Hope your week is of to a great start.
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This is a great capture. It needs a catchy, short caption. Maybe even a poster.
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He could definitely be the poster boy for the anger management class being taught at the local free university. thanks for the feedback and hope you are having a great day.
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What a great photo! I was driving yesterday and someone provoked instant road rage in me. I am quite sure I looked exactly like this photo.
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I have been lucky to not have to drive very much over the last 7 years and have forgotten how easily road rage can be brought on and how it does indeed make one look like that killdeer. Hope today is a road rage free day and a great on to boot.
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Wow, Mike that is an amazing shot!
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Thanks, Killdeers are such unique birds and display some unique behaviors. Hope you are having great day.
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That’s an incredible shot. Well done.
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Thanks and thanks for the feedback as we appreciate it. Hop e you are having a great day.
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Its even more special as I’ve never seen a Kildeer, and its incredibly rare here. No UK sightings in 2014. After looking up where you live I can’t imagine how you survive so far from the coast!
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That is interesting as the killdeer is vary common here in the US and is widespread. With regards to living so far from the sea we manage as the mountains are beautiful and we do take regular trip to the coast and like to play in the ocean when we can.
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Beautiful portraiture, Mike. 😀
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Thanks Shannon, it is quite interesting how Killdeers build their nest so darn close to roads sometimes.
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