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
Tag Archives: Charleston
Came From Nowhere, Alligator
I was explaining to a friend how this area had once been busy.
Raising my hand to point to my right, just as I began to speak about Alligators thriving over there …
Huge splash, and a gator flying through the water.
It was almost show biz!
He was chasing something I never did see. but what a wonderful grand entrance he made.
Old Garden Pond
Plantation garden pond. It may be overgrown but I think it makes that much more interesting.
Soon it will be alive with the colors of the plantings done some time ago.
Wading Egret
A Great Egret we found as we left a swamp for the day. It landed in the shallows just as I walked by.
This is one of the reasons leaving here, at a specific time, is impossible.
There is ‘one more thing’ to see before you go.
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.
Anhinga In Flight
This bird is high on the list of ‘speed demons’. Since we see them in the water most of the time flight shots are not all that common.
Out of the water they can hardly walk, are clumsy, and slow movers.
They make us assume slow is normal for them.
Impressive is a good description of them flying.
