Growing up quickly at Orlando Wetlands

One of the cool benefits of visiting the Orlando Wetlands regularly is witnessing little baby birds growing into big birds.

That was so evident this past weekend when I was there and came across the Black-necked Stilt chicks I photographed in early June and a Sandhill Crane colt I took pictures of back in March and April.

It is amazing how quickly birds grow — but that’s part of their path to survival. Little birds are easy pickings for predators.

Unfortunately that was the case for one of the trio of Black-necked Stilt chicks I originally photographed. There are only two now, but they seem to be doing fine.

The Sandhill Crane colt — the one from the family that had just the one colt — likewise appears to be thriving.

Here are some before and after photos of the little birds growing up.