The penthouse was taken early on by the Herons.
However several pairs of Great Egrets are sharing the lower levels.
Obviously the Great Blue is not happy about this.
A Crowd
Category Archives: Heron
Getting Serious, Heron, Egret
They are starting to live closer to each other. Prime nesting spots are hard to find. The Great Blue Herons are always there first and protect the location and small young.
I caught this series as the Great Egret pushed closer and closer to the Heron. Egrets may be the biggest danger to small Heron chicks. The adult Heron, while a docile species, will attack if threatened.
The following photographs are a good example of aggressive behavior in these rookeries.
Above, the Great Egret was inching closer to the Heron nest. Finally the Heron stood and warned the Egret to move away.
Egrets are usually the aggressor and will fight back.
The Heron had been pushed by the Egrets for some time and ultimately attacked.
Above the Egret wisely backed off. The Heron had the high ground, was protecting young, and is bigger.
This time the Heron won the day.
Egrets are nesting in this tree below the Heron so this will be an ongoing battle.
I was pleased to be able to capture this series from start to finish (there were other shots, too many to include). You need to be in the right place at the right time. I was, this time.
Sharpening Her Bill, Heron
I have seen this behavior before. It’s even more common with the Great Egrets.
When in an attack or defensive position the birds will almost make a show out of sharpening their beaks.
It’s probably a form of intimidation.
Egrets have been moving in on this Great Blues nest and she has tiny young. It will take more than a single Egret to drive her away. Both Herons and Egrets will stand their ground.
Above you can see a small ‘tuft’ of feathers below the Heron.
Great Blue Waiting
On the nest, Great Blue Heron.
Some Assembly Required, Heron
Not everyone is gifted with the ability to build and fix things.
That includes this Great Blue Heron. I think she needed directions.
Even The Great Blues Are Disagreeing
I think the chaos is spreading. Egrets and Anhinga are loud and scrappy. Great Blues typical above it all.
However this one was angry at another Heron for some reason and joined the fighting.
The bird being chased may have come to close to the others nest. This would be a good reason for a chase.
As with most disagreements it was over as fast as it started.
These big birds do get loud though.
Dragon Arrives
Like a mythical dragon.
There Must be Something Here, Little Blue Heron
He was convinced there was something to catch, he just knew it.
First the Little Blue froze in place, like a stone.
Next he tilted his head, looked sideways.
Now was the ever so slow step ahead, followed by another sloooow step.
After a while you could almost see him shrug.
Standing up straight like he knew how wrong he had been.
He repeated this plenty of times. Ultimately there was always a catch.
