I’m revisiting some images I took last fall using Topaz Sharpen AI. I might have overdone it just a bit, especially around the Great Blue Heron’s head.
I like the second image a little better with the shadow of the right wing falling on the left wing.
In mid February I posed a question “Will These Sticks Make a Nest?” with doubts about the whole thing staying put.
This is one of my images from that post showing the scrawny nest and poor housing support.
I’ve been back a couple times since then and seen the parents had built the nest up quite a bit and two chicks had hatched.
I finally got some decent images this week.
There was just the one chick. Most of the other GBH chicks in nearby nests have fledged. Sometimes the young will return to the nest even after they are feeding themselves, probably for familiarity.
If this one hasn’t flown he will soon as the parents stop bringing food at some point and he’ll have no choice.
Usually Spanish Moss makes a nice addition to an image.
And sometimes it doesn’t.
The Great Blue Heron was shaking off the rain shower that just doused us.
Bird rousing doesn’t wait for a clear view.
A Great Blue Heron flew to a high perch above the pond after feeding.
A storm was brewing in the distance, the GBH carried on preening.
Great Blue Herons are known for stealthy, slow hunting.
This fellow defied the norm when he caught and swallowed three fish in a matter of two or three minutes.
The long feather sticking up is part of the breeding plumage.
He is likely eating for a family. The adults fly back to the nest then regurgitate the food for the chick(s).
It will take a lot of these little fish to sustain the adult and chicks.
The fish from last Thursday’s post Great Blue Heron Getting Lunch was just an appetizer. The GBH continued to hunt along the edge of the pond and was rewarded with a much larger catch.
The heron carried the fish around a bit then…
…one gulp and the fish was gone.
Exhibiting the classic Great Blue Heron patience this fellow took a slow walk along the edge of a pond.
So slow he wasn’t even making a ripple in the water.
His patience, and mine, were rewarded.
The Great Egret showing off is surrounded by other nests in this “tree condo.” It’s a favorite spot because the tree is surrounded by water, reducing potential attacks from snakes and raccoons.
Two juvenile Great Blue Herons that hadn’t yet learned to fly were in their nest in front of the displaying Egret. In the layer behind there are at least two Great Egret nests and two Anhinga nests.
Taken last April, the trees had leafed out enough to make a lush surrounding, unlike when the Great Blue Herons start nesting and dull grey limbs are everywhere.
April 13, 2019
This Great Blue Heron was looking stealthy. I was able to get down low and peek through the grass.
He was just off the walking path when I passed by and even from the far side I was close.
I was rather surprised to see a Great Blue Heron hunting in this outlet stream from one of the small ponds at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.
I’ve seen Green Heron here before, but never the larger birds in with this tangle of downed trees and brush.
His footing was a bit precarious and I didn’t see him catch anything. After a few minutes he flew to the pond where at least there was more room for him to maneuver.
February 11, 2020
