2017 Wildlife Photo Contest

Species: Killdeer Charadrius vociferus | Location: Pensacola Beach, United States of America

I was at the park in Pensacola beach when I heard the a Killdeer calling. The adult Killdeer was very vocal which is usually a sign that there is a little near by. I have seen on other visits the Killdeer hanging around near the industrial box but really never paid any mind to it til this day. I decided to get back in the vehicle and use it as a bird blind and figure out why the KILL was so vocal. After a little bit of time and a lot of patience the two little ones popped out of hiding. Then another two popped out. OMG they were downy and brand new. Now there were two adult KILL and 4 downy hatchlings. Can you say a little bit excited! I sat there and watched them go in and out of the plants next to the industrial structure. When ever the parent KILL would call out they would use the industrial box as a hiding spot. I found it interesting the contrast of soft and hard. The softness of the downy hatchling and the hardness of the industrial box, the cut wires, tabs and screws that had been left behind and gave perspective to the size of the hatchling. It's now a couple weeks later and we only have one chick with feathers coming in living under the large industrial electrical box.

About The Photographer

Hello I'm Denise Burridge. We moved to beautiful Navarre, FL in August of 2016. We are a military family and my husband is currently based out of Hurlburt Field. I am new to conservation photography but not conservation. I started my conservation journey 12 yrs ago as a Range Patrol Officer covering 729 sq miles right here on Eglin AFB, FL. After Eglin, we moved to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan where my photography journey started. In 2012 we moved to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. While living in Las Vegas, I did some projects with Nevada Fish and Wildlife and the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Now, I've come full circle and I'm starting this new chapter here in Florida combining my two loves as a conservation photographer. Thru the medium of photography my goal is to build a interactive relationship with the viewer to encourage them to EXPLORE the adventures of today and the memories of tomorrow. CONNECT by disconnecting, so that we may experience the best connections.To discover the OUTDOORS, to see with new eyes the special places and wildlife set aside by us so that all may experience.