Green Heron Aug.23/09

While visiting a friend in Washago we were fortunate to catch a glimpse of this beautiful young green heron. His young plumage was so bright and colorful. What a treat. Actually my first green heron this season.!

July 7/2009 Baby male pileated

This young male pileated comes for a visit with it's Dad once in a while. l know they are hear when l hear the (uh uh uh ) soft sounds that it he makes. here he is checking for food in the tree.
Something flew over head and he reacted by opening his mouth. Dad was still busy at the peanut feeder.
The curiosity of him is amazing. Nothing goes unoticed at all. l could sit and watch him for hours on end. He is amazing as are all the babies that have come here over the years. Very curious birds.
Must think there is something tasty here.
Nap time!!! Checking to see if anyone is home.!! Just being curious. He is actually sticking his tongue out but you can't see it. Looks like he is taking a little nap. Love this photo.

July 9/09 cont.

Another view of the young taking a rest behind the driftwood. This is were they were always told to go by mom or dad when threatened by a predator,weather or just to take a safe nap. Why it was so important to leave all the driftwood on the beach in that area. There little lives depended on it.
Adults taking a little break by the water. Always on the watch for predators. Right til the end. It was a job in a half watching over those 4 chicks. They were on the run and busy busy. A job well done indeed.
Another peaceful moment.
And another.
These are the photos l have chosen out of 100's that l took on my duties as a plover guardian at Wasaga Beach this summer of 2009. l was unable to finish my shifts as l got ill. So l missed the final flying adventures and leaving for hours and even days making everyone wonder ( did they leave).l did get up and do a walk along the beach on the long weekend and hoped to get another look at the plovers but no luck. Was disappointing but also l knew they were going to make it. l did however get to see the first flying attempts which were amazing. We were all sad to see them leave but also happy. But l heard they finally left the beach on l think July 30th. So after a week of no show the enclosures were taken down and the beach was opened up yet again to the public. Although l had no problems on my shifts,l know others did have. We spoke to many many people,answered questions gave out information and drew awareness to so many people young and old. These amazing little birds brought people in from all over to see what it was all about. If we reached only one person and turned them around on the beach closures and the reasons, it was worth it. We got their interest and we got there attention and taught them the importance of the species need for help to come back. And l know l personally got more than one person turned around. And that is a job well done. Each year we will reach more people and each year we will protect more babies to adulthood. That means each year ,god willing these fledglings make it through the first year,that puts them just a little bit closer to getting off the endangered list. The guardians were fantastic. It was a real experience and l am already looking forward to next year's plovers. The park 's people were fantastic and always there if we needed them. Last year out of 8 chicks born only 1 survived. This year 4 born,4 survived. Although the one that got nick named Johnny Rebel was a hard one to keep track of. Kept us all on our toes . The one we feared would get into trouble and not make it. He amazingly did. Kept us and his parents hopping all the time. A real adventurer. And unlike the other 3 when they were called in they went. This little one just continued on ignored its parents calls and made them worry. And really made mom or dad hope to protect him. That they did well. l guess we all know one of those in our lives don't wee. BUT!! That little one made it too. We all wish them a safe and uneventful migration and hope to see them back next year. Last years 1 survivor did make it back to Michigan and did find a mate and have a nest. However at this point l do not know the out come of that. But it made it and that is 1 more to the survival of the species come back. First year is always the critical one. We are now up 4 more for this year here in this area at least. A big HURRAY for the plovers.!! If interested in any photos please feel free to contact me.( They are all copyrighted by me. )

July 9/0929 days old.

These little ones got bigger every time we went. Beautiful plumage and more independent all the time. Here one fledgling is enjoying a real good preening.
Nest #2. Parent birds just did a trade off of duties. Both incubate the eggs. This pair sat for 51 days before they finally abandoned the nest. Young female,unexperienced and the male was missing a foot. Not sure the reasoning,but eggs were not fertile. When they abandoned the nest,the female actually stood by nest #1 fledglings for a bit. Their mom had already left. So she took on the maternal duties there and the territorial battles subsided as well.
You can really see this fledglings adult plumage coming along .
This was before the nest was abandoned so still some issues here amongst adult birds.
A rarity. All 4 fledglings together at once. A beautiful sight.

Territorial battles.July 9/09

With the chicks at 29 days old and starting to fly. The adults became more territorial. Nest #2 adults were not liking the chicks or their parents to close.

July 9 cont.

Confrontations between adults was common while the second nest was being attended.
Territory issues were always an issue.
3 of the young rest while the adults do their thing.
Dad watching over the young.
And another big stretch!

july 9 cont.

Two of the fledglings taking a break.
Hungry again.
Practicing with those wings.
No flight this time.
Hanging out.

July,9,2009, 29 days old.

Look at those wings,beautiful.
l love this one with the little tail feathers curling up.
adult plovers standing guard.
Young feeding.
Lift off.

July 9th continued

Wings are really developed now,just have to master the flying.
Starting to look like the adults now too.


This is from June 26th. These are the signs around the enclosures to explain to people what is going on. One wee babe to the right on the beach. Tiny little bundle!!

29 days old continued.

Stretching those new wings.
Just hangin out.
Thinking on going on another adventure.
Checking me out! l was never to close to these little ones. The area was fenced off and l used a 500 mm lens and cropped photos. However the odd time they did come close to me and the other guardians.
Looking for a bite to eat.

July 9th,2009 29 days old.

Adult plover on the beach.
Love the face head on ,looks like this one has been digging in the sand. You can see how they have grown at 29 days old.
Chowing down.
Another rest period.
beautiful .