If wildlife photography needs one thing (apart from a bit of luck), it's stillness. I set the camera on a tripod and just stood and waited. After a while the birds starting feeding their chicks. Small faces would appear from under the sitting adult, and small silver fish would be hacked up by the adult in response to the demands on the young. In a few cases, a strand of clear but slimy stuff would linger between the adult and the chick. Connected indeed.
The formal name of this bird - Anous minutus - refers to the fact that it smaller than the Brown (or Common) Noddy. One of the other differences between this species and the Brown Noddy is that this species actually builds a nest, where as Brown Noddys just (at best) place a few bits and pieces on a bush and lay eggs there.
I'm up to my ears in work and other such stuff so I may be a little slow in responding over the next couple of weeks. But I will get there in the end!
Now click on the blue button and off you go into the world of WBW!
What a treat to see! So glad you had them to yourself, and thanks for the explaining the clear, slimy stuff. Carry on.
ReplyDeleteOh Stewart, these are just amazing. Those "baby pictures" made me gasp ! So glad you stayed behind the group. Thanks for hosting and sharing these wonders especially when you're so busy!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely bird, and how wonderful to see it on the nest!
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart, what a great sighting of these pretty birds on the nest. The baby is adorable. Wonderful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday, enjoy the week ahead!
Your patience and stillness were indeed rewarded. What a lovely bird and great series of photos!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a striking bird! Love the plumage and the light colored "helmet"!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful bird and awesome captures, Stewart!! WOW!!! Indeed!! I hope you have a great weekend!! Enjoy, camera in hand, of course!!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant photos Stewart and what a lovely bird indeed.
ReplyDeletevery striking looking bird!
ReplyDeleteThey are certainly handsome birds. It is interesting how the small chicks already resemble adult plumage. Would love to see one in the wild!
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteSpecial and intimate moments in the wild!!! YAM xx
Your pictures are quite special Stewart. I can't imagine that Lord Howe island is on many "must see" lists, but birders always have a special reason to visit such places. Great pictures - wish I could visit the same place.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting once again.
Hello Stewart!:) Wow!! What a great looking bird, and how fantastic to see it in the nest feeding the chick. Another superb series!:)
ReplyDeleteUncertain about the ID of the bird in my post,could be a Nightingale.
Priceless!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of a bird that I have never seen. Diane
ReplyDeletePatience paid off! You got some fantastic photos of the mom and chick. And I love the name of this bird.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing series. You have the patience of a saint, Stewart and it sure paid off for you this time. Watching the parents feed their young, I bet that doesn't happen often. And, what's a little mucousy string between family members :0! The bird has a rather severe look, but very handsome at the same time. You do get the best pictures and 99% of the time it is of birds I have never heard of. Well, as you are busy, I won't keep you tied up with my babble. Have a great week and thanks for all you do.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
What a stunning bird!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos Stewart. These have just featured on David Attenborough's latest series here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteWhat a striking looking bird, Stewart! It's very sleek and sharp looking!
ReplyDeleteOh what amazing photos! Absolutely gorgeous birds! I love all the inter-action with the chick! Wow!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, dramatic looking bird. That is very lucky to see the baby!
ReplyDeleteWonderful bird! The light "cap" adds to its elegant appearance. Those little ones are adorable!
ReplyDeleteGreat images of a very handsome bird.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stewart! After reading your post and looking at your photos I went back and checked the ones I took on Lady Elliot Island.I am sure those Noddies were sitting on nests - although many of them looked pretty basic. It certainly seems a great way to help ID the birds. Great info!
ReplyDeleteThese shots are amazing. You are so fortunate to see them on their nest and with young. Thanks for hossting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful payment for your patience.
ReplyDeleteStewart, great captures, especially the young. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNice captures. Now I feel like an expert of Noddies
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures Stewart..What an experience..Thanks for sharing..Such fun..Always great to find active nests and photograph them..
ReplyDeleteNice capture of the baby bird!!!
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bird...elegant, in fact!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures! Love the baby bird!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures of a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeletewow, that is a beautiful bird and so great to be able to see the chick. Stunning images to :) Congratulations to this one :)
ReplyDeletehahahah... love the look on its face in the second picture....
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's patience or persistence that pays off for us in trying for photos either..... some days a bit of luck helps too.... but, you definitely have to wait them out don't you?
WOW!! What a fantastic series! What beautiful moments you have captured here with adults and chicks. That must have been such a treat!
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