Tag Archives: Breeding Season

A Time To Nest, Canoodling

The Great Blue Heron pair took a few moments to bond after the male  brought a stick for the nest.

Great Blue Heron Pair
Great Blue Heron Pair

OK, enough of that.

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest

Ready for another stick!

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest

Off he went.

Great Blue Heron Male Flying Off
Great Blue Heron Male Flying Off

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 28, 2022

Google shares a lot about the word Canoodle, I’ll leave it at “This somewhat silly-sounding word applies to somewhat innocent physical affection.”

Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 2

Now what turned into some beak clacking.

Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff
Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff

Size isn’t everything, but sometimes it helps.

Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff
Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff

Finally the Tricolored Heron made a full body move…

Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff
Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff

…pushing the Snowy Egret off his perch.

Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff
Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff

The Tricolored Heron got tangled up in the palm fronds for a few seconds, but not apparent damage.

Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff
Snowy Egret and Tricolored Heron Faceoff

Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 1

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.

Cattle Egret Working on Nest
Cattle Egret Working on Nest

Another seemed all settled in on the next palm tree.

Cattle Egret on Nest
Cattle Egret on Nest

Last, one that was taking a break from his hard work, giving me a nice view of his breeding colors.

Cattle Egret
Cattle Egret

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022