Play and Green Heron Interactions and Behavior, Clutch 2 and Clutch 3

                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 2

                                                                          Ditto

                                                          Green Heron Chick, Clutch 2

                                                            "Coming In For a Landing"

                                                          Green Heron Chick, Clutch 2

                                                                   Adult Green Heron

                                                          Green Heron Chick, Clutch 2

                                                        Another Chick From Clutch 2

                                                           Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 2
                                                       In Position for Clutch 3 Emergence

                                                        Member of Clutch 3 Positioning

                                                        Green Heron Adult Coming From
                                                                      Clutch 3's Nest

                                                                  Green Heron Adult

                                                           Second Green Heron Adult

                                                                        Ditto

                                                               Eldest Bird, Clutch 3

                                                    Eldest and Second Eldest, Clutch 3

                                                 Green Heron Fledglings From Clutch 3
                                                     Reacting to Plane Flying Overhead

                                           Transitional Mallard Hen Transitioning to Adult

                                                                           Ditto

                                                            Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 2
                                                               Moving to Higher Ground


Tuesday, July 5

0650-0850 hrs./76-84 degrees F(feels like 92)/partly cloudy/10 mph S winds/72% RH

There were no fireworks in Stillwater at the usual spot on Boomer Lake this year, which was a
disappointment for some, but not for the birds.  Loud noises can not be tolerated, since they are not part of a normal setting, and even those birds that live near humanity still have trouble with loud storms and fireworks.

Since there are young fledglings in the vicinity where the fireworks would have been discharged, it
was a great blessing for them, especially in the night.  So there were tidings of great joy overnight, and rambunctious activities ensured both for the juveniles of clutch 2 and the fledglings of clutch 3.

The adults watched over the events and there were no harmful byproducts of any kind.  The young birds behaved like all of them do, including a photo of two fledglings that heard and saw an air-
plane going over their heads.  The reaction recorded is important to science and goes to show that
they are alert and pay mind to everything that goes on around them.

The third clutch wasn't out in the open any more than a half hour due to the fact that they are so young and can feel the effects of the sun.

Play is important is their growth, and as you can see, they enjoyed themselves.   They also learned how to interact with others, which can make a difference in their survival.  Instincts are both learned and a part of their initial DNA, making some of the reactions involuntary.  They know and respond
to their siblings and parents and over the next several weeks, they'll be learning a great deal more on
how to survive as a young Green Heron.