Tag Archives: Nesting

Great Blue Heron Chicks

March 8, 2017 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

The chicks have started to hatch and what a sight! These photographs are highly cropped and not the best quality due to the distance and small size of the chicks. Based on activity I have seen and other photographers’ observations these two might be three or four days old. Photos as they grow should be better!

A nest closer to the walk way also has two chicks that I could see. That pair was younger and much smaller so the photos I took may not amount to anything; I started with the best first.

The adult seemed content to bask in the late day sun as the little ones bounced around the nest. I am looking forward to documenting their growth.

Magnolia Plantation, Charleston, SC.

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Egret Stick Gathering

March 5, 2017 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

Selection of the sticks to add to the nest is important business. This Great Egret selected and discarded a few before being satisfied.

A short trip back to the nest.

This was repeated several times with sticks selected from several points around the pond.

The female took each contribution and added it to the nest.

Magnolia Plantation Audubon Swamp Rookery, 3/3/2017.

Birds, Wading Birds

Who Goes There?

February 24, 2017 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This female Great Blue Heron periodically checks over the side of her nest for intruders. Anhingas stop by a lower branch on their way down the pond and are promptly moved on with a menacing squawk.

Alligators pass by in the pond below but there isn’t much she can do about them.

Click on photo for larger view.

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Blue Herons Mating Ritual

February 19, 2017 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

The mated pairs spend a lot of time surveying the nest, often adjusting the stick, and making sure they keep their claim. Other Great Blues or Great Egrets would be happy to take over a turn-key home.

Their displays of affection include their feathers ability to defy gravity.

They are awkward birds to begin with and this maneuver requires a lot of flapping.

The ritual continues as the male continues to bring sticks to his mate.

Click any photo for larger view.

Magnolia Plantation Audubon Swamp, Valentines Day 2017.

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Standing Watch

February 18, 2017 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

A Great Blue Heron on her nest in the late afternoon sun.

Click photo for larger view.

Birds, Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Mama on Her Own

February 10, 2017 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Between their courtship activities the male flies off for either food or more nesting materials. Sometimes the female tries out the nest.

Then makes an announcement.

These were taken just before sun down on February 2. The light was low but the highlights of the breeding plumage kept enticing me to take more shots.

Click on any photo for larger view.

Birds, South Carolina, Wading Birds

Great Blue Herons Keeping House

January 6, 2017 Ellen Jennings 12 Comments

The Great Blue Herons have arrived at the Audubon Swamp Rookery and wasted no time fixing up their nests and getting ready for their next brood.

They did take some breaks for displays of affection.

The males gather most of the nest material and the females spend quite a bit of time arranging it. This pair was relatively quiet, but others in the rookery did a lot of squawking as they worked on their nests.