Great Blue herons building nest
by Mark ~ April 8th, 2008. Filed under: birds, nature, nature photography, wildlife.
This is something I really enjoy watching - the behavior of Great Blue Herons building a nest in a rookery. The entire ritual they go through - from the courtship displays to the very critical ’stick presentation’ to the female - is just fascinating. And it happens stick by stick by stick. If you have never seen it - once a mating pair is formed - the female usually waits at the nest site while the male goes off and gathers sticks. I have often wondered about the selection process the male goes through in order to find a suitable stick to present to his mate. I have seen them carry some with leaves, some big, some small. Although I have never seen the female send the male packin’ to find a replacement stick, I have no doubt it must happen sometimes. 
After all, not all herons can have essential building and construction material skills. (OK, I just set you guys up for all kinds of jokes here, ha!)
Once a suitable one is found, the male flies with it back to the next, and what appears to be a very formal presentation of the stick to the female. She flares up her feathers in a display and graciously takes the stick from the male. The stick is then woven into the constructs of the nest and the entire process repeats.
Getting clear shots of a rookery is one challenge, the other is finding a nest that isn’t too obstructed by other branches and miscellaneous twigs. I suppose I have a compromise here because the background isn’t as perfect as some would like. Nonetheless, it is a great rookery for viewing and always a happening place every spring.
April 8th, 2008 at ?
Beautiful image Mark, and thanks for the info, I have been told that we have one of the biggest Heron Rookeries in the Midwest at our new NWR Big Oaks, but it is off limits for now to the public.
I have always been fascinated by birds and bird photography but haven’t had the guts or cash to follow this part of photography yet
April 9th, 2008 at ?
Fine image, great behavior presentation. There’s a heron nesting spot I drive by from time to time - I ought to head out to see what’s happening. Hope there’s lots of hepatica out your way…
April 9th, 2008 at ?
Mark, thanks for the great information! Wow! It’s 6:00 AM and I’ve already learned something new for the day! Now, I can go back to bed, sleep all day, and be educated as well!!!
This image makes me want to grab the big lens and do some heron spotting. I see lots of herons around here, but I’ve never seen a nest. Maybe I should start looking up!
Do they nest near water? I would imagine so.
April 9th, 2008 at ?
This photo takes my breathe away. I’m not sure I could even photograph it - I would be in such awe of simply seeing such a site (sight).
April 9th, 2008 at ?
@Paul - yes, typically near water in swamps, marshes, etc. This particular one is surrounded by a sizeable lake. Glad to provide some new info for your day!
@Bernie - no doubt, bird photography usually requires some investment in some long glass!
@Tom, Bo - thanks a lot.
April 10th, 2008 at ?
One of our claims to fame here in Quakertown, PA is our swamp with it’s GBH rookery. We enjoy seeing these wonderful birds flying overhead often and even landing on our houses. It drives me nuts though when people call them cranes! I’ve tried to work the birds here, but it seem impossible. I need to go a bit further off to work with blues. Your image is well done and tells a great story.
April 13th, 2008 at ?
Great image and post on these interesting and beautiful birds, Mark!
Will you consider a submission of this post to “I and the Bird” blog carnival? I am hosting the carnival on May 1st and would love to include your post in the carnival list for that date.
April 13th, 2008 at ?
Con - no problem. I am not too familiar with what that is though?
April 14th, 2008 at ?
How awesome! Great photo & post. I LOVE great blue herons (& have since I was a little girl.) Sorry for my recent absence…Mundania intruded again. <:(
April 23rd, 2008 at ?
Mark,
The carnival moves to a different host blog every two weeks and I’m hosting May 1st. I’ll write a bit about all the submissions and link to all the submitted posts. It’s restricted to posts about wild birds, but one doesn’t have to be a birder to contribute. Find out more about “I and the bird” at http://10000birds.com/iandthebird
May 4th, 2008 at ?
I got here from I and the Bird and I’m very glad I did.