Cindy Marple
July 2026 - Ready to Brood
Original
About the Image(s)
“Ready to Brood”.
This was the first of several broods of Black-necked Stilts to hatch at my local preserve. The chick is 24-48 hours old here, and Mom was doing a lot of brooding that morning. It was quite lucky that they were in a spot that had a viewing area fairly close and with the sun at my back. The pond was drying up and there were a few puddles left in the mostly muddy basin. Almost all other sightings after this were in much less photographable situations.
Nikon Z8, 600mm 1/1250 f/10 ISO640 I had set to f/10 wanting to have a better chance of having the birds sharp as they moved about and weren’t always in the same plane like this.
Processing- crop, reduce highlights, eliminated a couple of white spots.
12 comments posted
Cindy - This is a terrific behavioral image that tells a compelling story. The interaction between the adult and chick immediately draws the viewer in, while the warm light, clean, uncluttered background creates a wonderfully pleasing presentation. The simplicity of both the foreground and background works exceptionally well and you did a great job with the detail in both the dark and light feathers - kudos all around.
I know wildlife doesn't pose, but what would have elevated an already strong image is a slightly more alert expression or a more engaging head angle from the adult, along with just a touch more space in front of her.
In my Visual Feedback, I did a bit or cropping from the top and bottom to tighten the composition then adding canvas on the right to create a panoramic format.
This is a beautifully executed behavioral image that combines storytelling, technical excellence, and pleasing aesthetics - nice job
Posted: 07/02/2026 00:02:03
I know wildlife doesn't pose, but what would have elevated an already strong image is a slightly more alert expression or a more engaging head angle from the adult, along with just a touch more space in front of her.
In my Visual Feedback, I did a bit or cropping from the top and bottom to tighten the composition then adding canvas on the right to create a panoramic format.
This is a beautifully executed behavioral image that combines storytelling, technical excellence, and pleasing aesthetics - nice job
Posted: 07/02/2026 00:02:03
Butch the stilt is a very formal bird, dressed in his black tux. Both parents take their parenting duties quite seriously. Ive seen them sit motionless for hours. just like what you see in Cindy's image. The chick will eventually move under the parent for protection. They nest on the ground and I think sitting motionless help help the gators (at least in my area) from spotting them. Posted: 07/07/2026 19:32:26
Thanks for the explanation Larry - did not know that Posted: 07/07/2026 20:02:45
There's probably some difference in behavior given different environments. While on the nests, the adults don't move. But in the more open habitat at this park, once the chicks are hatched they do look around. They need to keep alert for threats, which is mostly other birds. Anyway, as you might guess I shot several hundred frames of this situation, and looking at what I've kept I can't say there's any that have the type of head angle you're talking about. In editing/selecting I was looking mostly at the positions of the chicks and any interactions with the adult.
In terms of crop, there are lots of options. Just a matter of taste. Thanks for the alternate idea.
Posted: 07/08/2026 01:10:18
In terms of crop, there are lots of options. Just a matter of taste. Thanks for the alternate idea.
Posted: 07/08/2026 01:10:18
Cindy, you absolutely nailed this classic pose of a stilt parent protecting and or nurturing their newborn chick. This is a much cleaner image than what I find here in the everglades. Your perfectly neutral background makes me jealous. Did this parent have more chicks or was this the only one? As usual your image is technically flawless. Well done. Posted: 07/07/2026 19:38:27
Hi Larry, there were 4 in this clutch. 3 is the most I got in one photo that morning. 1 of them has survived and "fledged" on Independence day- taking its first flight, or at least the first that we observed.
Posted: 07/08/2026 01:16:13
Posted: 07/08/2026 01:16:13
Did you get any shots with several of the chicks standing under one of the adults with all the little legs showing underneath? Posted: 07/08/2026 02:07:42
I've gotten shots like that in years past where all there is is feet/legs. This is the closest to that, that I kept from this batch. I liked seeing the little head peeking out.
Posted: 07/08/2026 02:20:01
Posted: 07/08/2026 02:20:01
Cindy,
Your patience was certainly rewarded! Glad you used f10 to ensure that you got good sharpness on both birds. You still maaged to blur the background effectively. My only suggestion might be to select a shot where the two birds did not merge. Posted: 07/08/2026 13:54:50
Your patience was certainly rewarded! Glad you used f10 to ensure that you got good sharpness on both birds. You still maaged to blur the background effectively. My only suggestion might be to select a shot where the two birds did not merge. Posted: 07/08/2026 13:54:50
David, here's one. I just liked the intimacy of the contact. Posted: 07/10/2026 21:51:31
I think I would have gone with this image, but it is like all art a matter of taste. Either way you certainly captured a great moment! Posted: 07/10/2026 23:44:12
It's good to get other opinions, for that reason! Thanks! Posted: 07/10/2026 23:48:51