Limpkins
Harryb
Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
Hi Y'all,
One subject I enjoy shooting is the limpkin. In the US the limpkin can only be found in Florida. It lives in wetlands and its food source is mollusks, predominantly apple snails. It does not have any close relatives although recent studies show some common traits with cranes. The limpkin has a very distant call which is like a loud wail or scream. Hollywood used the limpkin's call for the jungle sounds in the old Tarzan movies. More recently its call was used for the sounds of the hippogriff in a Harry Potter movie.
Recently I ran into a pair of limpkins with their young. They were broken out into two groups of 4 chicks with one parent.
a parent
a chick following closely
This session was rudely interrupted when I realized I had stepped on a fire ant nest and the little buggers were chowing down on my feet. Fortunately I ran into the happy family an hour later.
A chick watching how its done
I mentioned that there were four chicks with each parent but there was only one Chick up with the parent as it foraged. Well when one of the other chicks came up close this was the result.
the other 3 had to trail behind and pick up the few remaining scraps
When the first group moved on the second group came up. The parent with the second group saw its honey up ahead so it flew off to join its mate leaving the 4 chicks to scramble along to catch up with their parents.
One subject I enjoy shooting is the limpkin. In the US the limpkin can only be found in Florida. It lives in wetlands and its food source is mollusks, predominantly apple snails. It does not have any close relatives although recent studies show some common traits with cranes. The limpkin has a very distant call which is like a loud wail or scream. Hollywood used the limpkin's call for the jungle sounds in the old Tarzan movies. More recently its call was used for the sounds of the hippogriff in a Harry Potter movie.
Recently I ran into a pair of limpkins with their young. They were broken out into two groups of 4 chicks with one parent.
a parent
a chick following closely
This session was rudely interrupted when I realized I had stepped on a fire ant nest and the little buggers were chowing down on my feet. Fortunately I ran into the happy family an hour later.
A chick watching how its done
I mentioned that there were four chicks with each parent but there was only one Chick up with the parent as it foraged. Well when one of the other chicks came up close this was the result.
the other 3 had to trail behind and pick up the few remaining scraps
When the first group moved on the second group came up. The parent with the second group saw its honey up ahead so it flew off to join its mate leaving the 4 chicks to scramble along to catch up with their parents.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
0
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Who picked you up off the ground after you shot this one?
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I took you to the wetlands once. You might remember that the road (where the limpkins are) has inclines on both sides leading into the cells. I was standing on the opposite incline.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
So you do need help getting up
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Thanks glad you enjoyed them.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
It is a real treat to observe them and view their activities. They are always interesting. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
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Thanks Jeff
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How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
:nah
I'm an expert at getting up. I tend to fall frequently after drinking excessively. I have lots of time on my hands, I'm retired you know.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thanks Leilani, those chicks do have a high cute factor.
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
From Taleen, Zoey & Lilly
Those are some cool looking birds, the babies are soooo cute.
There so clear I feel like I can touch them.
I like the babies, why don't they eat something that tastes good ?
Thanks Harry kids never seen a "Limpkin"
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