The Beginning of Life

Picture: American Coot (Fulica americana) Feeding Baby Chicks, Orange County, California

I had never seen anything like this before yesterday. Judging from the bald heads, I would say that these baby American Coot chicks were probably born yesterday or the day before. Man. I am getting really sleepy right now after lunch, but I have stuff to do so I can't take a nap.

Added 5/21/07: On Friday, I forgot to mention that at least two of the baby wood duck chicks seem to be doing well. In fact, they have finally developed little feathers on the wings. They still can't fly yet as far as I know. Come to think of it, I have never seen an adult wood duck fly either so I'll have to research that one. A part of me wishes they would stay small and cute, (they still look cute but look less cute now than two weeks ago) and on the other hand I'm glad to see they are progressing. The mother duck wasn't anywhere to be seen so I guess the two babies have been left to fend for themselves now that it is 3+ weeks later. I photographed another mother wood duck w/ five little chicks or the same one gave birth to more chicks? So I guess the other two chicks from the four remaining original group died in the past week and a half. Can you imagine what it would be like to give birth to nine babies and have seven of them die within the first month? Hopefully I can get back down there one morning this week to verify my observations.