It was a foggy morning and I had just missed the adult Great Blue Heron feeding the chicks.
The adult was showing signs of leaving…
…and away s/he went.
The chicks hunkered down.
One was a little more curious, soon they will be wing flapping.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 15, 2023
A Great Blue Heron youngster, not quite ready to fledge but sure curious about life beyond his nest.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 20, 2023
Every spring there seems to be one Great Blue Heron that hangs out on the edges of Ravenswood Lake, likely a chick from last year that for whatever reason didn’t become part of a pair for this year’s breeding season.
Undeterred by humans passing by on the nature trail, this one prowls the banks.
On this morning he appeared to be just looking around, not actively hunting.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 20, 2023
The Skinny Tree is hanging on and once again hosting a Great Blue Heron family.
There are three chicks, and amazingly all three appear to be thriving.
Other nests with triplets that I have observed over the years have at least one chick being much smaller and not surviving.
This year’s nest is pretty small compared to other years which will be a challenge for the family as the chicks grow.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 12, 2023
This Great Blue Heron had been slowly and methodically patrolling the edge of Ravenswood Pond, mostly in the shade and with a tree between us.
Then, he stepped into the clear, in a patch of sun. And caught a fish!
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 12, 2023
Or, Tree-top Dancer
The big birds sometimes show lapses in judgement…
I’m sure this scrawny tree top hold me up…
Tip-toe a little…
Flap a bit…
He kept trying longer than I expected…
…but in the end, exited stage right.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2023
The mated pair of Great Blue Herons that is nesting on the skinny tree swapped egg protection duties shortly after sunrise.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 14, 2023
Back and forth from the nest, the Great Blue Herons continue to work on the nest even after the eggs are laid and hatch.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023
Sometimes the nesting birds fly closer than I expect. I cut his wing off but still liked the image.
This paved path runs the length of Ravenswood Pond, home of the Skinny Tree, that I was watching when this GBH flew in. There is a lot of loose tree debris that is easy pickings and it’s just a few wing flaps back to the nest.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023
