Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Is it soup yet?

You know how kids are --they can never wait. Mom (the buffish-topped Cattle Egret on the right) is trying to tell them that dinner is not ready yet, but the chicks are hungry and getting up in her face. (Audubon Park, Oschner Island rookery, New Orleans)

When the chicks would start poking at her, this gal would fly a few branches away and let breakfast simmer a little longer. I don't know why she didn't stay there, but in a minute or so, she'd flutter back near the chicks and they would start their fighting and wing flapping and getting up in her face again. I suspect that the exercise was good for the chicks and helped to get them ready to leave the nest earlier.

I wonder if Cattle Egret have problems with the chicks returning to the nest?

-- steve buser

Lagniappe --Check out PixelEyed -- a Egret sails through the trees on her(his) way home with the groceries.

10 comments:

Coltrane_lives said...

Simply beautiful Steve! I have enjoyed your documenting the egrets. I also have fond memories of Audubon Park. I frequented it a lot when I was stationed in the Coast Guard, New Orleans base station in the late 80s. Hope your city is getting the help it needs and deserves. Your photos give us a glimpse of the immense beauty in the South.

Jilly said...

Absolutely fabulous, Steve. Love these photographs. How privileged you are to see these birds and us to see your photographs.

Barbara said...

Beautiful. Hello..just stopped by to look. Cheers from West Sacramento Photo of the Day.

photowannabe said...

I guess Mom knows best. What a terrific series. I have so enjoyed it.

Unknown said...

I'm really enjoying your photos! That zoo is the best..my favorite of the ones I've been to!

Sharon said...

This a beautiful photo! Thanks for leaving a comment on my brand new site for Phoenix. I really appreciate it.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Very cute Steve.

Wanda said...

I can't even tell you how wonderful these pictures are. And I love the title you gave it!!

Anonymous said...

Excellent photography, Steve.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Hilarious title, and their little faces are hysterical. Hat so ff to you Steve, you really do bring out the character of the birds.