You could also file this under “timing is everything.” A couple minutes sooner I might have seen different action. A couple minutes later and I wouldn’t have known any of this.
I walked past the skinny tree and took this first picture of the GBH standing on the nest. The lighting wasn’t great, but if you peek through the lower branches you can make out a second heron standing on a lower level. It was almost closing time so I moved along.
Not two minutes later a loud ruckus was happening. I turned back to see that the mate had returned to the nest and took issue with the GBH below.
A lot of posturing and wing flapping went on.
Eventually the lower GBH flew off, leaving the pair to have a moment, territory crisis averted.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 26, 2024
Great story! 😁
Thanks!
The true wildlife story, great Ellen.
Thanks, Hans, glad that you liked it!
Terrific series, Ellen! Quite something to witness 😊
Thanks, Belinda! It was… at first I thought the lower GBH was building his own nest on that lower branch…but no, that will not be an option 🙃
A great sequence. A guy has to try, of course, but then he has to move on 🙂
Of course, and they do! Lots of rearranging of couples and spats around the swamp as they get settled in for nesting.