This Great Blue Heron chick took a test “fly – hop” from the branch above his nest and over his sibling.
The sibling was less than impressed, but the flyer seemed pretty pleased with himself.
He liked it so much he climbed back up to the top and flapped his wings in the breeze.
I didn’t see him lift off again; he was content to watch the world from a higher vantage point.
I like your description of the movement as a “fly-hop.”
Thanks, Steve. It’s neat to watch them practice this then finally take off for a loop around the pond.