BABY BLUE’S LUNCH

 

 We've seen hundreds of Great Blue Herons and I've probably photographed nearly that many — but it doesn't have to be a new bird to make me happy.  Especially when we get to observe behavior we haven't seen before. 

 

 

We saw and heard this little screaming match going on up in the greenery at Wakodahatchee.    I was glad we tore our eyes away from the nesting storks (here) and looked up, because these herons unknowingly let us witness a great show.     Just a slice of daily life for the birds, but a new learning experience for these bird observers.   

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Great Blue Heron was hungry.   And he let the parent (could be either mom or dad) know by tapping the adult's gullet.    

 

Ouch! 

 

 

This little one had obviously been around long enough to know where dinner comes from:   The adult swallows the fish and then regurgitates it back up into the babies beak.

 

 

 

 

After about half an hour, the adult bird finally gave in and (rather roughly it seemed) gave the kid its meal.    I wonder if making the baby wait a while is the beginning of the weaning process.   It would be interesting to watch the whole process from hatch to fledge the way I've been able to do with the Bald Eagles that nest nearer to us.  

 

Here are some other Wakodahatchee birds showing off their fine feathers: 

(L):  Snowy Egret, Boat-Tailed Grackle; (C):  Green Heron preening; (R):  Little Blue Heron; Green Heron

 

 

 These are the last pictures from our last overnight excursion this Florida season and I'm linking  them with the following sharing opportunities:  

 

OUR WORLD on Tuesday; NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY; ALL SEASONS; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY; SATURDAY CRITTERS; RATHER B'BIRDING; and THROUGH MY LENS 

 

Thank you to all of the hosts.