I had wandered away from the heron rookery when not much was going on. When I returned about an hour later this Great Blue Heron nest building action was unfolding. It was much darker in the shade than I anticipated but I didn’t want to risk loosing the stick presentation so didn’t change camera settings, ending up with underexposed images.
I liked the artsy silhouette look and look forward to another opportunity to get brighter images.
Great Blue Heron Pair Stick Ritual
After the female gave the stick her approval the male lined it up for the pass off.
The female turned the stick…
…nearly wacking her mate in the head.
The female placed the stick in the nest while the male got a closer look and gave her a gentle nudge.
The male stood back as the female poked the stick into its proper place.
Click on any photo for larger view.
01/14/2018
Such beautiful birds. Grand ritual here.
They are, Frank! I never get tired of watching them.
I really like the silhouettes. I think it tells a wonderful story.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and story.
The tale unfolds beautifully in silhouette.
Thank you, Belinda!
What a remarkable experience to watch unfold! I like the silhouettes! It works! It helps to center the story. Gentle and delicate. Feeling the love 💖💖💖
Glad you enjoyed and thank you for your comments! It is interesting that the Great Blue Heron mates display affection for each other, more so than any other birds that I have observed.
I must agree, such a happy accident, that the birds are in silhouette.
I think this makes us focus on the action at hand. Witnessing a tender ritual between the two. Light and color would only have distracted us from the story.
This series has such an intimate feel, I almost want to blush and turn away, and leave these two to their sacred moments alone.
Seek peace,
Paz
Thanks, Paz! You’ve put into words what I was feeling and I’m glad the silhouette treatment added to the story. I find it interesting that these giant birds display affection.
What a sweet sighting and captures, Ellen. I love the silhouette-look. Feels good to the soul to see such love and devotion between mates. 🙂
Thanks, Donna! I have really enjoyed watching the GBHs’ behaviors.