Back at the rookery

I went back to the heron rookery this afternoon so I wouldn't be facing the sun. Fortunately the clouds stayed away and I had some nice light to work with. There were many other birdwatchers and photographers there, and I got lots of questions about my gear. It was fun watching the herons building their nests and I'm hoping as the season progresses to get some good nesting shots.

Flying past another nest with a heron in it:

Excellent work on some difficult targets Liz. Not many Blues at the rookery I visit, mostly Egrets and Anhingas.

NH

Wow, absolutely beautiful shots. How close could you get to the nest?

Liz,

Those are great. I have never seen a Heron rookery. It must be a thrill to photograph.

Nighthound wrote in post #5269457
Excellent work on some difficult targets Liz. Not many Blues at the rookery I visit, mostly Egrets and Anhingas.

NH

Thanks, this was just a heron rookery, no other birds (well except geese and tree swallows.) I don't think herons nest in mixed groups. A heron rookery is also called a heronry, I guess for that reason.

jm4ever wrote in post #5270488
Wow, absolutely beautiful shots. How close could you get to the nest?

Thanks, there were many nests, probably a couple dozen of them on this tiny island. It's interesting because this is in a park right in town, but obscured from view of any roads, so it's somewhat secluded. There's a tiny island right in the river and it was only about 150 feet off shore.

rstuntz wrote in post #5270523
Liz,

Those are great. I have never seen a Heron rookery. It must be a thrill to photograph.

Thanks, I had never seen one until yesterday either. It was really interesting and fun to watch the herons bringing sticks into their mates at the nest. I hope to see some juveniles being fed over the next few months!

gymell wrote in post #5270844
Thanks, this was just a heron rookery, no other birds (well except geese and tree swallows.) I don't think herons nest in mixed groups. A heron rookery is also called a heronry, I guess for that reason.

The Great Egrets(White Herons), Great Blue Herons, Anhingas and a few Black-crowned Night Herons nest at the rookery I visit. Unfortunately the population is always 90-95% Great Egrets. I'm not complaining, I'm glad to be able to observe and photography the birds I do. The other mentioned species at this site avoid the public access areas as far as nest locations.

NH

Class, as usual Liz. Beautiful.
Dawn.