The area around this swamp has been changed drastically over the years. Land here is owned by Magnolia Plantation which is really all about the houses and gardens. The back has been left to ‘mother nature’. She hasn’t been kind to a few places though.
This small heron was in an area that had been slowly cleaned of thick vegetation. Now the swamp land and water are taking hold again.
It can get deep enough for Anhinga to hunt underwater at times. That only was possibly about six years ago.
It’s surprising how quickly fish and other small wetland residents return. There is plenty for these wading birds to hunt now.
Other parts of the swamp are being returned too. Once there was a thriving second rookery a half mile down a trail. Parts are clear again, perhaps alligators will swim down and nesting return. Both go hand in hand for a rookery to be viable here.
I’m clueless as to why alligators have anything to do with a viable rookery. I’m sure the rookery is great for alligators! But how do alligators help support a rookery?
The herons & egrets nests are easy prey to animals that climb trees, mammals, snakes, etc all would steal eggs and young. The wading birds look for swamps and trees surrounded by water, with Alligators to catch the other animals if they should swim to the nests. A symbiotic relationship. Yes some small birds fall from the nests and get caught. But it has worked for millions of years. 😁😁