A Green Heron Two Clutch Day

                                                             Original Clutch #1
                                                                "Missing Link"

                                                              Three Members, Clutch #1

                                                                          Ditto
                                                                    "Circle Game"

                                                            Two Members of Clutch #1

                                                                 "Then There Was One"
                                                                           Clutch #1

                                                              Clutch #1, Fourth Born

                                                                 Adult Green Heron

                                                                 Fourth Born, Clutch #1

                                                               Adult Green Heron

                                                             Third Born, Clutch #1

                                                                Fourth Born, Clutch #1

                                                                  Adult Green Heron

                                                              Four Nestlings, Clutch #2

                                                               Third Born, Clutch #1

                                                                Adult Green Heron

                                                                     Ditto, Same Bird

                                                                      "Tag, You're It"
                                                              Adult Pursued By Fourth Born

                                                                 Fourth Born, Clutch #1

                                                                  Clutch #1, Intent on Parent

                                                              Awaiting Rest of Family

                                                             Nestlings Awaiting Breakfast



Saturday, 06-17-17

0715-0900/81-85 F/mostly cloudy/S-12/73-69% RH/29.70-29.73 Hg and steady

Remember that missing clutch of birds that I assumed that I had lost, because they vanished into thin air?  They're B-a-c-k.  Clutch #1 apparently switched trees, just like they did last year, when a second
set of eggs was laid.  Last year, the parents simply led the young ones over the branches to the next
tree with the snag on the right.  I just missed seeing it this time.

Our missing birds had been in the lower nest.  The second nest was built above that one, where the current nestlings are located.  This is the first nest that has been within view since the Green Herons
have been using Heron Cove.  All of the other ones have been much higher and out of view, though they have all been over the water.

These photos are all from today.  I will try to get the remainder posted, which will be from the beginning of the week, when the nestlings are even younger.

The Clutch 6 Green Herons See More of the World's Events

                                                        Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 6

                                             
                                                       Adult Green Heron (Foreground)
                                                 and Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 6 (Rear)

                                                       
                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 6
                                                                 Right After Feeding

                                                     Green Heron Adult Below Chicks

                                                       Green Heron Chick, Clutch 6

                                                                             Ditto

                                                       Both Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 6


Tuesday, 08-16-16

0720-0928 hrs./66-77 degrees F/partly cloudy/6 mph S winds/65% RH


This was a very eventful day for these chicks.  They got to see and make themselves very
small in the area of a Mississippi Kite.  They didn't know it, but the kite only eats insects.
Great Blue Heron, who vocalizes a great deal, was also on the left snag while they were in
the center tree at The Cove.  They started out in the shaded left side of the tree, and the last
photo shows them on the right side.

After they were fed by the adult, it appeared that they were trying very hard to go to where
the adult was, which was under their nest tree.  The adult waited there for about five to ten
minutes, I believe just hoping for that,  However, neither of them trusted their flight abilities.
They moved instead to the right side of the tree, them soon went within it.

Great Egret was on The Cove for a short time, having landed on the right snag, but left after
I was observed.  That could be enough reason why the little ones have been staying in their own
tree.

Is It Always That Hard to Get Those Green Heron Teens Out of the House?

                                                              Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 5

     
                                               Adult Green Heron Feeding Clutch 5 Chick

                                                                          Ditto

                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 4


Monday, 08-01-16

0711-0845 hrs./75-83 degrees F/partly cloudy/37-31% RH/10 mph S winds

It is getting later in the season and it is time to get these birds growing faster and moving about
more.  These message is quite clear with the adult's behavior.  These birds could be on the move
by the middle of the month, UNLESS they decide that they are going to raise more young ones.  Once the young birds are gone, there really is no reason for them to stay here, so we'll soon see what their plans are going to be.

                                                       Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 4

                                                         Green Heron Chick, Clutch 4

                                               Adult Green Heron Leaves Clutch 5 Chick

                                              Adult Green Heron Flies by Clutch 4 Chicks

                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 4

                                                         Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 4

                                                           Green Heron Chicks, Clutch 5

                                                     All Green Heron Chicks in Clutch 4


Tuesday, 08-02-16

0710-0928 hrs./79-85 degrees F (feels like 87)/partly cloudy/13 mph SSW winds/53% RH

All juvenile Green Herons are still on The Cove, but they won't be around much longer, the
way that the parents are trying to encourage flight.  Today they have been flying back and forth
several times, hoping to get the young ones to follow.  One clutch 4 bird actually did and was
gone for a short while.  There is no doubt that the adults want these youngsters out of here, but
they are hard to convince.

                                                      Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                                   Adult Green Heron

                                                       Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                           Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                                          Ditto

                                                         Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 5

                                                       Adult Mallard, Missing Right Eye

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                                             Ditto

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                                             Ditto

                                                          Last Two Clutch 4 Juveniles


Wednesday, 08-04-16

82-88 degrees F/0716-0909 hrs./partly cloudy/8 mph SSW winds/63% RH

Our youngsters are starting to get the idea that sort flights are the key to survival when they
are out of their parents' care.  It also seems that they have an interest in the center tree, as they
all are pointing in that direction.  That leads me to believe that we have more youngsters on the
way, which is surprising, but very possible.

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                                Green Heron Adult

                                                        Green Heron Juvenile, Clutch 4

                                                                 Green Heron Adult


Sunday, 08-07-16

76-83 degrees F (feels like 89)/0758-1024 hrs./mostly cloudy/8 mph NE winds/72% RH

Both parents are working very hard and are almost in a frenzied state to get our illustrious
young birds OUT OF HERE.  It is as plain as the nares on their bills that they need to find
another place to stay.


Monday, 08-08-16

All the juvenal birds that are left are the youngest two, one from clutch 4 and one from clutch 5.


Tuesday, 08-09-16

0800-0915 hrs./77-81 degrees F (feels like 87)/partly cloudy/80-74% RH/light and variable SE winds

The two youngest, one from each clutch, 4 and 5, are hiding in the shadows of the shore.  Great Blue
Heron and Great Egret are under the impression that this area now is free once again.  No adults were in sight wen I passed by.  I think that they're in for a rude awakening...