A situation I didn’t understand and one that could have (may still) ended badly.
Great Egrets are notorious for being aggressive and deadly. Blue Herons the opposite, kind of laid back. An Egret will dismantle a Heron nest for sticks, and worse kill any chicks in the process.
This Egret didn’t even wait for the adult to leave for food. He landed on the nest, made advances towards the chicks and began the attack. And…the adult stood and watched not knowing what to do. Which emboldened the Egret.
Finally the larger Heron attacked to defend the chicks.
Of course the Egret made an exit, quickly.
I was shocked to see it go as far as it did. Now the Egret will see that nest as a place to be returned to. Sad but adult Herons leave their chicks alone for extended periods.
This is not the end of the story.
Nature…it’s not all pretty.
Very true.
If you haven’t seen this…select ‘Tale Of Two Herons’ from the category list on the side menu. It has a good ending… it follows 2 chicks from birth to flight last year. Thanks.
Will do. Coincidentally, just last night I was working on something with a similar story, but birds of a much smaller scale, and garden variety…robins and crows. Sad. But it’s the reality of nature. I will check out the Two Herons. I prefer happy endings!
It is a series of articles over a few months. My wife actually captured a shot of the adult female laying the eggs. Kept visiting until they flew off.
That was great. I loved it. So glad the heron was able to fight off the egret. Nothing like a good bird story on a Saturday afternoon. Thanks.
They certainly are opportunistic, I hope the chicks survive!
That is the danger.