I don’t know just when they hatched but these two Great Blue Heron chicks were checking out their world on March 31st.

They were able to sit up and squawk for several minutes at a time.

I didn’t get any good images in between, but by May 5th they had the appearance of adults.

Able to stretch their necks for a better view, their world is just this nest. They are totally reliant on the parents bringing food.

On May 22nd their feathers looked more mature and the chicks spend more time grooming.

I have not seen these two chicks fly yet, but it won’t be long. It has been brutally hot here, 100 F (38 C) predicted for today, and these nests are out in the open with no shade. The chicks will do a pant-like behavior and sit with their wings out to help regulate temperature, which hopefully will help them survive.