Monday, December 11, 2017

December 11, 2017: Watching behavior around the "heron tree"

This morning -  they left for feeding - so photos of takeoff and landing and catching fish
Here is the "Great Blue Heron Tree" :  a pine tree with at least 2 nests and perhaps 4.  Two moms here: one on the left and one to the right mostly hidden by pine needles



Two of the nests


Mom (1) departs to meet dad for breakfast


Mom(2) caught a small fish


Mom (2) (Great blue heron) with breakfast (a small fish)


Mom (2) flying over the lake (fortunately close to me)


Mom (2) fishing


Great blue heron plunging her head / beak to catch a fish


Great blue heron (mom (2)) withdrawing her head, hopefully with breakfast


Sure enough, a small fish in her beak


A closer view of great blue heron with fish for breakfast
 

Carefully carrying breakfast to the pond bank
 

Another view of mom (2), Great Blue Heron, with her breakfast


Now flying 101 -  Takeoff (lunging forward)


Leaving a trail of water droplets


Gaining altitude trailed by water drops


Flying over the pond


Reflections of flying over the pond


Great blue heron, landing . (gear down)


Flaps down to stop her forward progress

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