I don’t know how they know, but this bird sure was aware something was about to happen.
Oh, my mate, you are back!
Double checking to make sure I know you…
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 17, 2025 — before the snow and big freeze
A Great Blue Heron has staked a claim for a prime nest site in the Skinny Tree.
A few nest materials have been added, and now there is nothing to do but hold the territory.
Usually the males start the nests before the females return to the rookery area for the season. This could be a male that is in hopes of luring a female to his creation.
Or this could be the next step, the female guarding the nest spot while the male is off doing his thing. Either way there is a lot of waiting involved in getting a new family started.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 17, 2024
This is one of my favorite spots even on a dull, grey day. The pond surface was smooth, making a nice reflection with the bit of color left in the trees. The silvery Spanish Moss and leafless branches bring thoughts of winter.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 8, 2024
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
