Field Notes
Parenting can also be chaotic in nature
It turns out patience is not just a human requirement. Spend a few minutes near a nesting colony, and you quickly realise just how demanding young birds can be.
Featured image
A burst of noise and white feathers broke out high in the nesting bushes as this adult Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) tried to manage a demanding crowd. Between the flared wings, open beaks, and general commotion, it felt like a very relatable bit of parenting in the marsh.
A family moment
After a long walk in the sun, we paused in the shade of some bushes beside the canal. The taller vegetation seemed full of movement, and the longer I looked, the more activity revealed itself. Not just smaller birds, but glossy ibises, night herons, and clusters of cattle egrets moving through the branches.
A handful
The egrets were far from quiet. A constant chorus of calls and screeches gave away a busy nesting spot, with several young birds all competing for attention at once. The adult seemed almost unmoved at first, standing firm while the noise built around it.
When that patience wasn’t rewarded quickly enough, the youngsters escalated things. Pecking turned into grabbing, and for a brief moment one of them managed to get its beak around the head of the parent. It was chaotic, loud, and strangely familiar.
I managed to catch the moment mid-action, wings flaring and feathers everywhere. Watching it unfold, I couldn’t help but feel slightly reassured — at least my own children have not taken things quite that far.
Observing is fun
Moments like this are what draw me to wildlife photography. Not just the chance of a clean shot, but the opportunity to watch behaviour play out in real time. There is something endlessly interesting about trying to understand what is happening and why.
Even when it is chaotic or slightly ridiculous, it adds another layer to the experience. The more you watch, the more you begin to anticipate these moments — and occasionally, you are ready enough to capture one of them.