Breeding season is over but a few of this year’s young are still hanging around the rookery. I saw this young Great Blue Heron displaying the classic GBH patience. He was staring at the water when I went by, and twenty minutes later when I returned he was in the same spot.
Little Blue Herons are born white then slowly transition to all blue in their second year. This youngster took a spot surveying the pond, looking a little unsure of what to do next. Some of the LBH adults are still in the area, but no longer supply food.
Sounds like our neighborhood, Ellen! ☺️
An interesting part of the yearly cycle as they learn to be on their own!
The pond that hosts our favorite rookery near where I took these has become clogged with vegetation this summer and many of the juvi birds have been feeding there. It’s not good for the long-term viability of the pond but seems to be giving this year’s brood a boost, or at least a reason to stay local. I’m hopeful the owners will be doing something about it before the Great Blues come back to nest.