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Tuesday, June 8, 2010

FROM BIRDS TO STORMS

I know this is a Baby Oriole, because I saw his mother fly away when I opened the door to take this photo.


BABY BIRD


Along with two of my granddaughters, I recently learned a lot about Killdeer, when we found their eggs in our son’s driveway. This photo was our first look at the eggs. Eventually there were four Killdeer eggs in their driveway, with the girls’ wheelbarrow in front of them to prevent a car running over them (which I almost did before the wheelbarrow was placed in front of them).


bird eggs We often saw both the mother and father Killdeer at the site of the “nest”. Often, when we approached the nest, the father Killdeer began excitedly limping around, flapping one wing. On line, we read that this is often done by the male Killdeer to distract predators from the eggs. The father sometimes sat on the eggs while the mother took a stroll. I loved that the father took an active part in the hatching.  I just wish we could figure out a way that human father’s could take part in carrying the baby for nine months!



sitting on eggs


I missed the birth of the four little Killdeers. My granddaughters have described to me, in detail, the tiny, fuzzy balls with long legs, getting up and walking off behind their mother and father immediately after their birth. My son is so glad to have his driveway back, but we did have fun watching the antics of this cute couple.




STORMY SKIES 4

flowers in rain

I’m joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.


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I was one of the unfortunate bloggers who had a problem with Blogger this week, so I haven’t been able to post much. If the problems with Blogger stay away, I’ll have the linky up for Favorite Things Saturday on Friday evening. I would love to have you join us.


fav_thngs_cmbnd_thumb[1][1] As always, I really appreciate you coming to visit my blog.  laurie

28 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Laurie, that storm is very scary looking and I have never even heard of killdeer. Thanks for sharing.

Allison Shops said...

I had not idea killdeer would lay their eggs on the gravel like that. I agree, scary storm!

Dropping by from Outdoor Wednesday (post #3). If you haven't registered for our glass vessel sink giveaway, it's open until 5pm EST Wednesday.

Allison
Atticmag

Salmagundi said...

What fun for your grandchildren to watch the life cycle of the Killdeer. I had no idea they nested that way. Hope you stay away from those nasty storms. Sally

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Those eggs are so beautiful! I thought I was going crazy yesterday. I had no idea that blogger was having problems untill I read some blogs today.

Manuela

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Very cool post...love the bird pictures!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Laurie!

I never heard of killdeers and I enjoyed learning more about them. I'm glad the eggs survived and hatched.
That was a scary storm in your area! I bet that is why you had trouble with Blogger -- must have been interference with your network.
Our weather turned so hot and humid recently...whew!
Happy Outdoor Wednesday!
xxoo Pat

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

Laurie...blogger is driving me crazy! This is really the first time I have had real problems...but oh my word...this is nuts!

I love your post...the birdies are wonderful and it is so cool that you got such great pics!

Enjoy!
Cathy

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Me too, with blogger, Laurie. I'm trying to catch up, but we are having a neighborhood garage sale, this week and I don't have much time to be on the computer. I did get a post published this afternoon, though.

Your storm picture is amazing. We had storms come through today with a little wind and some lightning.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

PS...I love watching killdeer. They remind me of shore birds.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Storms like that make me very nervous! :( My daughter had some killdear that raised their families in her back yard - until she got dogs and let them outside. I guess they looked for safer and quieter abodes.

Stacey said...

I'm so glad your family found the eggs before they were crushed! It's so much fun to watch mama birds taking care of their nests. That mama sure did pick an unfortunate spot!

I'm also glad I'm not the only one having Blogger issues. I haven't been able to leave comments much this week and portions of my latest post keep disappearing and reappearing. Strange!!

Sarah said...

What an interesting experience to watch this nest of eggs hatch. And what precious little granddaughters to protect this nest of eggs. :-) Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos for Outdoor Wednesday. They are beautiful, Laurie! ~ Sarah

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I'm with so many others, I havn't ever heard of Killdeers. So strange. That storm looked just fierce. I sure hope you are all ok. Hugs, Marty

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have never heard of killdeer! How amazing that they just lay they eggs in gravel!

That storm looks awful scary!

Karena said...

Love the storm brewing image, wonderful, and wonderful site!!

Karena
Art by Karena

xinex said...

OMG, that storm looks scary! I hope it did not do any damage. Interesting post about the kildeers and your flowers are gorgeous, Laurie. I hope you are feeling better...Christine

Kristi said...

That is one scary storm!!! My boys and I had the pleasure of seeing killdeer and their nest a few years ago at the horse barn they ride at. Just like your picture, they layed their eggs in the gravel driveway and the girls at the barn put cones around it so no one would drive near it. And the mom and dad would squawk if you came near it. So cute though! Thanks for sharing :)
Kristi

Light and Voices said...

I haven't ever seen killdeer bird eggs before.
Joyce M

Sonny G said...

I love photos of nature and what could be better than Birds..I know your grandbabies love it there, because when I was little I stayed with my grands on their farm and those are some of my bestest memories:)
I hope you were safe through that storm.. NC sure has been hit hard this year with them, which is rather unusual.

Thank you for always stopping in to visit me and leaving a comment.. You have been so supportive since I started my blog and it means alot to me..

Hugs and Happy thoughts
Sonny

Nancy said...

All new to me! So interesting. Love the stormy pic, too.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That is such a neat story Laurie!
I love it and I bet your granddaughters had so much fun with that. The storms look pretty scary! I am one that had trouble with my blog too! I sent them like 5 million e-mails and suddenly it worked! hehe.
Hugs to you,
Cindy

Ms. Bake-it said...

Hello Laurie,

I think it is great your grandchildren were able to see and learn firsthand about Killdeer and their nesting and hatching. The storm looks so sinister! Love the beautiful flowers with all the water droplets on them.

I did not know anything about Killdeer. Thank you for sharing your newfound knowledge about killdeer with us.

~ Tracy

Kathleen said...

Amazing! I hope Blogger is cured, cause I sure don't like Word Press!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi sweet lady...

What lovely photos, Laurie! I have never seen a baby oriole and must confess that I've never even heard of a killdeer! Loved reading about them! It sounds like they kept ya'll entertained...hehe!

Well my friend, I do hope that my little note finds you and your sweet family well! I had Russell home last week on vacation and really didn't get much accomplished so I have been busy trying to catch up! I'm so glad that you came by for a visit and took a peek at my Lilacs and Tea! It's always such a pleasure having you stop by and I really enjoyed your sweet note, sweet friend! Thank you!!!

Have a fabulous day, Laurie!
Chari

Unknown said...

Laurie,

You are so blessed to have grandchildren to share such pleasures in life like watching a bird and their eggs. I have never seen that kind of bird before, what gorgeous eggs too. That storm looks scary.

I am sorry that you are having trouble with blogger. You know I had some issues with adding links on my sidebar, but I thought it was something I was doing wrong.

Have a wonderful day.

Karen

xinex said...

Are you feeling better, Laurie? I am so glad to see you. The small fountain is not new. It's been there forever. And I have not seen your dishes. I didn't know you had them too. How nice! Where did you get them?...Christine

Foley said...

Good thing you saw the Momma Oriole fly away - would have never guessed the baby was one!
The killdeer eggs are so pretty - they need to find a safer place for a nest..LOL

prashant said...

Those eggs are so beautiful!
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