It starts the same way every year.
The male returns to a rookery. He may have mated here before, even been born here. This begins the new cycle.
Did I mention it’s boring, and they get hungry waiting. If they do leave for food chances are another Great Blue takes the spot.
The lucky ones find the remains from the last years hard work. Some come and find the branch, even tree, gone and they must find another suitable location.
Once they get situated they stand and wait for her.
For no particular reason this years initial Great Blue nesting images were done in B&W.
Well, one reason was the light on the nest and a nice blurred dark background in the swamp. It’s hard to get contrasts in an environment like this.
Two Great Blue Herons starting the breeding season.
I’m thankful several birds have chosen nearby Cypress Trees, I am able to get decent close in flight shots and stand in a comfortable spot in the swamp.
Taken on a trip to an old cemetery. I think this was the first time I realized just how many Night Herons were hiding in the area.
While it’s hard to get an open shot here the number of Night Herons makes up for it. At least that’s my logic… for now.
When you see an Alligator you automatically think of those big teeth.
What about those claws !!!
Waiting patiently.
Great Blue Heron, Charleston, South Carolina.
The Great Blue Heron is unique in that they are very expressive in their actions.
In this photograph the male flew off and did not return right away. The female has been guarding the nest all day and by now is hungry.
She is not happy and stood waiting and watching in the direction he left.
He did return later. But from a different direction. We were both surprised, and I missed the shot.
He just came flying in to the swamp bank, never noticed me at all.
I tried to get a shot before the one above. One of the bird flying to me. He was too close to focus. Even this one I had to step backwards, which is when he realized I was standing next to him.
He was on a mission so chose to (almost) ignore me.
It’s nest building time and I was standing in a pile of nice soft Spanish Moss…that he wanted.
People who have seen this prior to publishing seem to think, with documentation, this bird may be almost ready to lay an egg.
If so she better find a place to land quickly. However I think it’s too early, they breed in April/May not January.
Actually I’m just happy to get these shots. Black-crowned Night Herons are very fast and usually shots like these are not very good.
In the above you can still see some feathers from her full torso.
You be the judge, we will never really know. Makes a good story though.
