Tag Archives: Skinny Tree

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Repurposing The Skinny Tree Nest

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It seems that the Great Blue Heron couple have abandoned nesting at the Skinny Tree sometime in the last week.

Great Blue Heron at Skinny Tree
Great Blue Heron at Skinny Tree

Another enterprising GBH spent a couple hours on Tuesday removing material from what had appeared to be a robust nest.

Great Blue Heron at Skinny Tree, Stealing Sticks
Great Blue Heron at Skinny Tree, Stealing Sticks

This heron’s nest is just at the other end of the pond, in the big island.

Great Blue Heron at Skinny Tree, Stealing Sticks
Great Blue Heron at Skinny Tree, Stealing Sticks

He made lots of trips mostly with small branches while I was watching.

Great Blue Heron Leaving Skinny Tree with Stolen Stick
Great Blue Heron Leaving Skinny Tree with Stolen Stick

Of course it is not theft to them, it is taking advantage of easy pickings.

Great Blue Heron Leaving Skinny Tree with Stolen Stick
Great Blue Heron Leaving Skinny Tree with Stolen Stick

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
January 31, 2023

Wading Birds

A Time To Nest, Canoodling

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The Great Blue Heron pair took a few moments to bond after the male  brought a stick for the nest.

Great Blue Heron Pair
Great Blue Heron Pair

OK, enough of that.

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest

Ready for another stick!

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest

Off he went.

Great Blue Heron Male Flying Off
Great Blue Heron Male Flying Off

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.”

Wading Birds

Meanwhile, Level 2 of the Skinny Tree

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Or, The Challenge

I know you are down there!

Great Blue Heron Alert to an Intruder
Great Blue Heron Alert to an Intruder

And I want you to leave!

Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron
Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron

Not going!

Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron
Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron

Says who?

Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron
Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron

Oh, I think you are!

Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron
Great Egret Challenges Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron won this round when the Great Egret took off but it was less then ten minutes and he came back.

The Skinny Tree, Great Blue Heron in top nest, Great Egret working nest below
The Skinny Tree, Great Blue Heron in top nest, Great Egret hasn’t made much progress on his nest down below

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 15, 2022

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Family in the Skinny Tree

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The “Skinny Tree” still stands and this breeding season a Great Blue Heron pair is raising a family here. Three chicks hatched and two have succumbed.

Great Blue Heron Alert to Incoming Mate
Great Blue Heron Alert to Incoming Mate – The chick’s head fuzz is just visible by the adult’s left leg

Somehow, the GBH on the nest knew the mate was about to land.

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest

The Great Blues give each other the showiest greetings when one returns.

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest

All that taken care of, it’s time to feed junior.

Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest, One Adult Feeding Junveile
Great Blue Heron Pair at Nest, Adult Feeding Juvenile

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 15, 2022

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Sentinel

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A Great Blue Heron looking snazzy and with possession of one of the prime nesting spots at the rookery,

Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest - January 9
Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest – January 9

A different view a few days later.

Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest - January 13
Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest – January 13

There are now three chicks in this nest, although they didn’t show themselves while I was looking.

Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest
Great Blue Heron Standing on Nest – February 24

The Skinny Tree, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 24, 2022