Wednesday, January 24, 2018

January 24, 2018 . Pairing behavior of Great Blue Herons


I’m beginning to see patterns of behavior during pairing of Great Blue Herons.  Here are some examples.


The Stretch



Usual flying configure when working -  with the neck in the "S" configuration



During pairing, though, the male flies circles around the nest and his prospective girlfriend - with his neck extended.



Sometimes there is a lookout



Scratching his face



Passing a twig from male to female



Off to fetch another twig  (nest building materials)



Returning with a twig



Passing the twig



Off for another twig



Fetching another twig - Neck in the "S" configuration



Returning with a twig



Off for more twigs



Returning with a twig



Landing



Passing the twig to the female (the construction supervisor)



Returning with another twig



Anxious female awaiting the twig



Female watching an intruder



Male returning with another twig



Off ro another twig





Time out for circular flying to impress the female (straight neck)



Straight neck for short circle around his girlfriend



Beak dueling



Tuesday, January 23, 2018

January 22, 2018: Great Blue Heron Harvesting

After watching early nest building, pairing  and mating of Great Blue Herons, the next activity seems to be the male searching for suitable twigs and moss while the female weaves them into the nest.

Time lapse video of harvesting a twig with Spanish moss

Vigorously pulling a twig


Holding a twig and displaying breeding plumage


Wrestling with a twig


Holding a twig with Spanish moss, I suppose to make a comfy interior of the nest


I love the lighting of this image


Once the twig is harvested, the male returns holding the twig in his mandibles 


Landing with a twig


Departing to fetch another twig - A female in a neighboring nest is seen


Returning with a long twig


Passing the twig to the female


The female takes the twig





And weaves it into her nest






Wednesday, January 17, 2018

January 17, 2018 . Wings

Colorful Wings


Roseate Spoonbill



Teal Ducks



Taking a bath


Incoming Twig






Rarely do we see pelicans around our lake

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

January 7, 2018: Birds in Flight, Circle B Bar

A morning of birdwatching at Circle Bar B


A Bluegray Gnatcatcher






An Ibis with breakfast fish


A flock of egrets


A flock of ducks