DAY 184

NATURE & LANDSCAPES

Lovable But Homely Babies

SOMETIMES UGLY IS BETTER

It’s interesting to observe the young of a species as they get used to their new world. You soon realize that youngsters at play are entertaining and cute, no matter what the species.

With some exceptions.

Some species aren’t blessed with good looks when they’re very young. A baby bird is a prime example. They don’t get their feathers for a while after birth, and it’s the feathers that make a bird beautiful. If you’ve ever seen a nest of baby robins or a young American Goldfinch, you’d agree they aren’t examples of nature’s most attractive creatures. In fact, some people think they’re downright homely.

Photo © Bill Diller.

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if you carry your camera and telephoto lens, you just may be able to capture a nest full of these featherless, sohomely-they’re-cute babies. Don’t stay too long, however, or the parents may think you’re taking over for them. —WTD