Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Impatiently Waiting

Since it had been nearly two weeks since my last visit, I decided to take a quick trip to the wetlands after work today to see how the Great Blue Heron kiddos were doing. All six Great Blue Heron chicks are doing well! There is even one new chick in a nest close by. The Mama, or possibly Daddy, of one of the nests arrived shortly after I got there and was greeted by two hungry, hostile juveniles.


Great Blue Heron parents continue to feed their young for 60 days at which point the chicks are fully grown and able to fledge from the nest.


The chicks were more than ready for their meal and quickly got into position to receive their regurgitated dinner.


The large chicks made it clear they were very hungry! Feeding these two looked like a dangerous job!



Chicks can become aggressive to one another at feeding time.


Luckily it didn't take the parent very long to cough up some dinner. The parent quickly left the chicks to consume their dinner.


This chick resides in the neighboring nest. The chicks are all around 50 days old so it won't be much longer until they are on their own!

38 comments:

  1. they really are amazing looking 'kids'. yikes! i'd hate to have those beaks coming at me!

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  2. Absolutely fantastic photos!

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  3. Damn teenagers!

    Epic shots, as always...glad you have the opportunity to watch them grow up.

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    1. Thanks Steve! They were pretty ruthless to their poor mom, its no wonder she took off so quickly!

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  4. Great shots Tammy! Someone could lose an eye in that feeding frenzy. Your second photo there should be a statue.

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    1. I did notice the mom had her eyes shut in several photos, probably did fear for her eyes!

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  5. Hola Tammy sensacionales imagenes de estas crias de Garza real, que muy pronto volaran y abandonaran el nido,bonito seguimiento de estas aves.Un fuerte abrazo

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    1. ¡Gracias! Cada vez que visito yo sé que puede haber desaparecido.

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  6. Good morning Tammy

    a beautiful location and beautiful photographs,
    I tlike them all, my compliments.

    I wish you a very happy Easter.

    regards, Joop

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    1. Thank you Joop! I hope you have a Happy Easter also!

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  7. Good morning !
    It seems to be busy days for the adults, a lot of feeding to get this chicks on their wings. Good pics of this herons
    Have a nice day in Florida !

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    1. It definitely must keep them busy, I am curious as to how my times a day the parents stop by...

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  8. That's really beautiful, feeding the chicks must be heaven, lol. Superb photography.

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  9. Wow, they've gotten big! They look much more like mom and dad now. Love these photos, Tammy!

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    1. Thanks Brian! They do look almost full grown!!

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  10. I love the seria birds..That's awesome Tammy..

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  11. Fantastic Tammy.. You´re very active... Beautiful pictures!!!... Lovely... Un saludo...

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  12. Great action shots Tammy, I can't believe you can leave work and be in the wetlands so easily. I love that line "see how the Great Blue Heron Kiddos are getting on, fantastic.
    All the very best Gordon.

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    1. Thank you! The wetlands are pretty close by. I was quite late getting dinner on the table:)

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  13. Great blog!
    Lovely photography and interesting subjects!
    I am amazed that the herons have chicks!
    Here in the south of France, it is still nesting time! I don't expect to see chicks before another 3 weeks!
    Well done Tammy!

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    1. Thank you for you comments and for visiting my blog:) Nesting here usually starts the end of December/beginning of Jan.

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  14. Wow, fantastic photos!
    Great work, Tammy.

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  15. Love the photos and the continuing story of these herons Tammy!

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  16. Lovely shots Tammy and nice to track their progress on your blog

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  17. Interessante und sehr schöne Bilder.

    Gruß
    Noke

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  18. Wonderful to see Tammy... lovely birds and your images are fantastic to see..

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  19. Hi Tammy!
    Stunning serie of the herons.
    Happy Easter!
    /Ingemar

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  20. The way you captured the great herons in midair makes them look as if they are dancing.
    Your photography is always so spectacular, Tammy.
    Thanks for sharing the beauty.

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  21. Hallo Tammy!
    they are awesome! it could be breathless to be there! I've never seen a big nest like that.
    the pictures 1 and 5 are my favorite :-)

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  22. Tammy, these photos are wonderful and the experience must have been even better to watch the herons feeding. Great photography. Regards, Richard

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  23. Very good moments and captures. Beautiful birds, thanks for sharing.
    Have a great weekend.
    Greetings, Miklos

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  24. Tremendous images as ever Tammy. My favourite is the third one with the young clamoring for attention (food).

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I greatly appreciate your comments!