I’ve never seen a Pied-billed Grebe display like this, and have never been aware of any nesting in the bird places we visit.
A nearby potential mate was less than impressed.
Per All About Birds, they make open bowl nests on a platform of floating vegetation and can have from two to ten chicks.
And those chicks will ride on a parent’s back for the first week after hatching. That would be something cool to see!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2026
The trees surrounding the Yellow-crowned Night-heron nesting area at Cypress Wetlands had filled in considerably in the two weeks since our previous visit.
I got a few glimpses of some mating behavior….
…but mostly it was butt end views.
Dangling Spanish Moss and a little breeze added to the sight line interference, but create some drama.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 10, 2025
This Great Egret was really showing off on perfect blue-sky day at the Alligator Farm rookery last week.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 12, 2025
Yesterday I wandered by the spot where I witnessed Mating Damselflies, On Iris last April. The previous two nights had been below freezing so I was a bit surprised that there were a dozen or so tiny damselflies zipping around the edge of the pond.
It was breezy and my angle wasn’t great but I did capture this mating pair.
And this single, resting on a leaf.
Unknown species, small — maybe 1 1/2 inches long (3 to 4 cm)
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2022
Like nature shows on tv, our nature boat trip to Bird Key to see the Brown Pelican chicks included some mating. This time is was not birds, but Dolphins.
Our boat captain and guide spotted a pod of Dolphins on our return trip up the Kiawah River. He was quick to say he thought we’d also see some mating based on his interpretation of what we were seeing.
From our distance on a bobbing boat it was hard to say for sure, but scenes frozen by the camera tell the story. Before you scroll on I’ll tell you that even at a distance they are graphic. And amazing.
The gestation period for Bottlenose Dolphins is twelve months. Tune in a year from now and we may see a calf.
Kiawah River, SC
July 12, 2021
Great Egrets are gathering around the swamp and just before sundown is a favorite time to show off.
Hoping to look its best to a potential mate this Great Blue Heron spent considerable time preening, his breeding plumage fanned out in the wind.
The herons have considerable flexibility and stretching ability.
Primping done, he was ready at last to make the call.
