I witnessed another exchange of the adult Great Blue Herons on the nest yesterday. Last week I posted photos of another pair doing this where the exchange was quick, as if the bird on the nest couldn’t wait to have a turn away–perhaps in need of a meal.

This time the adults started with a mating-type dance then spent more time interacting. The nest set up is a little different and the approach of the incoming Heron required more finesse to get into the nest.

After settling in the pair took inventory of the chicks and poked at each other with their beaks.

After the first adult flew off the recently arrived adult interacted with the chicks. The one on the right, likely a day or two older, has grown so that he now displays the familiar heron flexo-neck as he stretches up to chew on the adult’s beak.

These chicks are around 14 days old.

Click on any photo for larger view.