Killdeer Eggs, Chicks and Osprey Nest Building

Some days in spring allow me to see birds in various stages of breeding. I saw so many awesome birds last Saturday I've decided to create multiple posts rather than one. See some of my other stories from last Saturday by viewing my last few posts. This past Saturday was one of those days as I did some drive-by, or higher-speed, birding around some of my favorite spots in Utah County. I saw two tiny Snowy Plovers on Lincoln Beach, the south end of Utah Lake. They were my first ones of the year. As I was walking on a gravel road along a grassy area away from the beach I accidentally came upon the nest of a Killdeer. The Killdeer below popped up from behind a nearby weed and stared at me so I captured a few images.

Killdeer on Lincoln Beach in Utah County, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

I glanced over to where the bird rose from behind the weed and noticed three eggs in a nest of pebbles. I am extremely careful when walking along areas like this in spring because I know it is nesting season. I captured and image and moved away from the nest and observed some other shorebirds in shallow water.

Killdeer Eggs on Lincoln Beach in Utah County, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

At two different times throughout the morning I had to stop my truck in the road as tiny Killdeer chicks were crossing the road. What a dangerous life these little birds have as they go from eggs to adults. Most people driving along roads in agricultural areas are not paying attending to little brown and white cotton balls moving across the road. I captured these images from inside my truck as I stopped to let the chicks move to the side of the road. I'm always amazed at the thin tail feathers on these little guys.

Killdeer Chick in Springville, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Killdeer Chick on Road in Lakeshore, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

I enjoyed seeing the contrast between these tiny little chicks to the much larger Osprey as I discovered a pair building a nest on a power pole in Lakeshore, Utah.  I assume it was a pair at the nest. One had more of a blackish collar than the other. One flew into the nest without material, but the other was bringing sticks.

Osprey 1 shows a blackish collar and approaches the nest without nest material. I definitely love to watch raptors in action.

Osprey #1 Approaching a New Nest Near Lakeshore, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Osprey #1 Approaching a New Nest Near Lakeshore, UT (Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Osprey #2 Shows Almost No Black on Throat and Carries a Stick to a Nest in Process Near Lakeshore, UT
(Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Osprey #2 Shows Almost No Black on Throat and Carries a Stick to a Nest in Process Near Lakeshore, UT
(Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Osprey #2 Shows Almost No Black on Throat and Carries a Stick to a Nest in Process Near Lakeshore, UT
(Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Osprey #2 Shows Almost No Black on Throat and Carries a Stick to a Nest in Process Near Lakeshore, UT
(Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Osprey #2 Shows Almost No Black on Throat and Carries a Stick to a Nest in Process Near Lakeshore, UT
(Photo by Jeff Cooper)

Days like Saturday make me wish I could spent much more time observing, photographing, and sharing the awe of nature.