Snowy Egret show off.
You’ve heard “no one likes a show-off” … I’m not sure that’s true when it comes to nature.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Snowy Egret, Around Palm Trunk
Tag Archives: Breeding Season
Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 2
Now what turned into some beak clacking.
Size isn’t everything, but sometimes it helps.
Finally the Tricolored Heron made a full body move…
…pushing the Snowy Egret off his perch.
The Tricolored Heron got tangled up in the palm fronds for a few seconds, but not apparent damage.
Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 1
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 1
Get back!
No, you get back!
We’re both back, now what?
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Cattle Egrets Working On Nest
A number of Cattle Egrets were nesting around the rookery, including this one that was working on some finishing touches.
Another seemed all settled in on the next palm tree.
Last, one that was taking a break from his hard work, giving me a nice view of his breeding colors.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Snowy Egret, Showing Off
This Snowy Egret was showing off his breeding plumage and his flexible feet.
Snowy Egret, Breeding PlumageSt. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Great Egret, Green Lores
March 7, 2022
Great Blue Heron Staking Out Nest Site
A few Great Blue Herons have started staking out the best nest sites around Ravenswood Pond at Magnolia Plantation.
On December 6th there were a few colored leaves left in the background trees to make an interesting capture.
This GBH practiced a few mating calls.
And poked a few sticks around the nest area. Not much new material had been flown in but you can see this location has an excellent support structure when the time comes.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 6, 2021
Male Hooded Mergansers, Then There Were Three
I was momentarily distracted by the Canada Goose With A Treasure while watching the two Hooded Merganser drakes show off. When I reverted my attention to the ducks I saw that a few more females and another male had joined the party.
The three drakes performed tight circle maneuvers…
… that ended with a spirited chase.
The females lost interest and pretty soon they all casually swam to the other side of the pond, out of my view.
Male Hooded Merganser Duo Showing Off, Female Interest
Continued from Male Hooded Merganser Duo Showing Off
The second female toward the back got a little fancier with her tail action and the first one fluffed her crown up, showing a bit more interest.
The male-male competition got a little heated.
Then the female flattened herself, keeping her head under water for a bit, presumably to express interest in the males’ dance. I’d not seen this behavior before, and at one point wondered how long she could stay submerged.
They circled around her several times while the second female moved on.
Male Hooded Merganser Duo Showing Off
Two Hooded Merganser drakes were showing off for a female, doing their best to strut their stuff.
The female didn’t seem to be that interested, and much of the action was one male crowding the other out.
Back and forth they went, in and out of reflections created by trees on the far side of the pond.
A second female circled around a few times but she didn’t distract the drakes from the first female.
Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, SC
February 20, 2021