Two weeks ago, I showed pictures of a dipper nest under a bridge. One shot showed the male feeding the female in the nest. The chicks have now hatched, which makes this a busy Mother’s Day.
Three hungry maws beg at the nest’s opening.
The brightly coloured gapes and mandibles of the chicks are believed to be a signal to and a target for the parents: Insert food here. The adult lacks this colouration (see the earlier posting). 
The adult obliges. Here it is carrying a grub in its bill and is about to insert it in the chick’s mouth. This goes on all day as both parents ferry food to their voracious progeny.
Great shots Alistair. Three chicks! I wonder if they will nest a second time this year.
These are just stunning! Have only seen natural sites, so this is an interesting contrast and will be good to see how they do here….
can’t think of a better way to say “Happy Mother’s Day” than this post.
thanks Alistair
Very cool! Thanks, Alistair. I have seen this nest (or ones in the more-or-less same location) before but have never seen the young. So…very cool!