When I studied her feathers two days ago, the pen was sitting on four eggs and I decided to pop by regularly to see if I could catch a glimpse of the youngsters newly born. I was thinking about these feathers, initially, because of the macro challenge. Today, I decided to properly research macro photography and as a consequence came to understand the setting on my camera. How excited I am to finally be able to focus with the lens right up to its object (obviously this is not what I have done here!). How foolish I feel for never knowing before, the difference between zoom and macro. My camera is beginning to make so much more sense!
I am hoping that this pen will not turn out to be foolish for having such an exposed site for nesting. Today, her four eggs had become five. I read it takes her two days to lay an egg. I am watching to see when she will start to incubate the eggs. The cob doesn't seem to be hanging around to protect her much and I fear that the eggs may not make the cut. They are so beautifully speckled. I thought I would combine the feathers and the eggs to show you both in one day. After all, it is the feathers that keep the warmth in her body to allow the temperature to rise enough for incubation.
This story may not conclude for some weeks to come.
Such a beautiful image, Helen! I love the combination of feather and eggs in one photo! I look forward to future nesting/hatching photos! Fav! I can totally identify with your excitement at discovering your macro capabilities! When you enter the realm of macro it is as though you are entering an entirely new world. :-)