The “skinny tree” is hosting a Great Blue Heron nest again this year.
Two chicks are sharing the space which seems very small compared to some other years.
That doesn’t stop them from exploring their new world, chewing on each other when not pestering mom to get fed.
She was ignoring them while I was watching, and soon after this the little ones settled back down out of my sight.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 26, 2024
You could also file this under “timing is everything.” A couple minutes sooner I might have seen different action. A couple minutes later and I wouldn’t have known any of this.
I walked past the skinny tree and took this first picture of the GBH standing on the nest. The lighting wasn’t great, but if you peek through the lower branches you can make out a second heron standing on a lower level. It was almost closing time so I moved along.
Not two minutes later a loud ruckus was happening. I turned back to see that the mate had returned to the nest and took issue with the GBH below.
A lot of posturing and wing flapping went on.
Eventually the lower GBH flew off, leaving the pair to have a moment, territory crisis averted.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 26, 2024
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
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
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
The Skinny Tree saga continues as a pair of Great Blue Herons were busy working on the nest last week.
The male didn’t waste much time between trips fetching nesting material like they sometimes do.
Look closely and you can see the tree is still alive, a few branches have green leaf buds.
There may be eggs, too, as the female spent a lot of time laying down while her mate was on material runs.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 5, 2023
After some other Great Blue Herons had completely deconstructed the nest on the skinny tree last week another one is giving it a try.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 23, 2023
It seems that the Great Blue Heron couple have abandoned nesting at the Skinny Tree sometime in the last week.
Another enterprising GBH spent a couple hours on Tuesday removing material from what had appeared to be a robust nest.
This heron’s nest is just at the other end of the pond, in the big island.
He made lots of trips mostly with small branches while I was watching.
Of course it is not theft to them, it is taking advantage of easy pickings.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 31, 2023
A Great Blue Heron minding the nest on the Skinny Tree.
The heron flew to the end of the pond and I waited 15 -20 minutes for it to return, with hopes of a flight image. Finally I moved on.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 24, 2023
The Great Blue Heron pair took a few moments to bond after the male brought a stick for the nest.
OK, enough of that.
Ready for another stick!
Off he went.
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.”
