BirdPage by Cindy McIntyre, Waldoboro, Maine
B LUE HERON FAMILIES- Wakodahatchee
Wetlands, Boynton Beach FL
The most photographable Blue Heron
nest is by the gazebo, within easy range of a moderate telephoto lens.
This pair is oblivious to the oohs and aahs and gasps of astonishment of the
humans watching them feed their chick (just one) and greet each other during the
changing of the guard. There are several anhinga nests on the same little
island, also with babies.
March 12, 2008
Baby is growing up - parents leave it alone now. It can fly a little, too.
Feb. 20, 2008
Feb. 5, 2008
Baby stretching its wings. Right photo shows it devouring a small fish
just brought by a parent
Baby stretches to swallow that fish.... Changing of the guard shows enthusiastic
affection between the parents. The returning parent regurgitates the meal,
and the other leaves to fish. It's difficult to tell the male from the
female. Late afternoon light is best on this nest.
Sentinel...
Baby is visible in these early morning photographs. Boardwalk is in
background.
January 28, 2008 - Gazebo nest
White fluffball is circled in red - with a closeup of the noisy
little munchkin. Are there more? Parent picks up a fish that must
have been in the nest, swallows it whole, probably to digest it and regurgitate
it later in more palatable form for the baby.
Amazingly, it all goes down the gullet. On right is another
nesting heron farther down the boardwalk, which does the same thing (below).
Please respect my copyright by not copying these images or using them on your computer or website without permission or payment of a licensing fee. All images copyrighted by Cindy McIntyre 2008