Picture Of The Week 03-31-08

Where: New Kent County, VA • Cumberland Marsh Preserve

Notes: After a slow morning at Cumberland Marsh, with cold scattered rain and overcast skies, we decided to explore other areas on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail's Plantation Loop (www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt). Exiting via the gravel road of the preserve, a Killdeer ran ahead of us fifty feet or so. This was the same area we saw them at on the way in. Suddenly there were three very small fuzzy fledglings with long legs scurrying just behind the adult Killdeer. Baby birds, in March? These ten inch adults have chicks that are able to walk and leave the nest as soon as their downy feathers dry. As we approached, the adult laid in the road and acted injured in attempt to lure us away from the hatchlings. I saw where one of the chicks sat down in the grass just off thee road side, so I went straight over to that exact spot and began to search. I knew I was at the right location, but I could not see the youngster. I stared at the spot and even put my glasses on, still, no bird. Then just about the time I was going to give up, I realized I had been looking at it the whole time, its coloration and pattern camouflaged it perfectly. I photographed the bird and left as soon as possible so it could return to the protection of it's nearby parents.