A Tricolored Heron chick was peaking out from behind a parent, looking a bit like a dinosaur.
Prehistoric Looking Chick
Tag Archives: Florida
Will It Fit?
A Tricolored Heron had selected a stick for the nest he was building but wasn’t quite sure about flying it home. Multiple side branches often end up being more trouble than they are worth.
White Ibis, Looking Around
A White Ibis was surveying the scene from his perch on a dead limb.
Snowy Egret, Top Up
A Snowy Egret was showing off as he poked around, maybe looking for nesting material, maybe just a courtship display.
He was looking pretty snazzy.
He showed me one more dip before he dropped into the vegetation, out of my sight.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Florida
April 29, 2021
Trio of Tricolored Heron Chicks
I stopped by their nest again about an hour and half the after the images from my post Tricolored Heron Chicks Being Fed
The chicks were awake and looking around.
And one was quite curious!
The sticks you can see were about the extent of the nest, with not much to hold them in.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Florida
April 29, 2021
Blue and Red: Tricolored Heron
Tucked in on his nest, waiting.
Roseate Spoonbill Chicks
This was my first time seeing Roseate Spoonbill chicks and I must say those little spoonbill beaks are quite cute. Those few sticks between me and them were a disappointment, but to be this close to a nest was pretty amazing.
Siblings.
Having a look around.
Testing out the gear.
From the boardwalk, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 29, 2021
Tricolored Heron Chicks Being Fed
I missed the adult’s arrival back at the nest but this trio of Tricolored Heron chicks was quick to prompt the parent to produce food.
Like many of the herons the parents regurgitate what they have caught to feed their offspring.
The biting/snapping/pulling of the chicks seems to have some stimulating action on the process. No worries, no images of the actual food here today.
The squawking may just be for show, and always seems to state I Want More!
When the delivery is over the adult quickly gets out of reach. It’s a wonder any of them come out of this with their eyes intact.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Florida
April 29, 2021
Snowy Egret, Breeding Display
A Snowy Egret all puffed up and showing off.
The neck stretch is often part of the courtship display in wading birds, or the bird could be defending his territory from an interloper.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 29, 2021
Look, I’ve Got Wings!
Wading birds in the nest don’t have much to do.
This one is way too young to start liftoffs, but was ready to learn about his wings.
It was a short lesson.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 29, 2021