I was lucky enough to be out shooting at Lindsay Parsons yesterday morning. What a beautiful day!! Warm weather and good light make us photographers happy!
The pond is almost ice free and the birds are coming back. A few Woodies, Mergansers and Mallards and the Great Blue Herons are back and beginning their courtship rituals. The Great Blue Heron is seasonally monogamous. That is, they mate with another heron for the duration of the mating season. When the next season comes around, they may choose that same mate or a different one. During the mating and nesting season, the heron pair work together to raise their young. At this time of year they have special plumage and colors that make them extra beautiful!
The courtship begins….. If it wasn’t for the branches, this would be a good image….. :(
Waiting for his sweetheart….
The courtship continues….
More rituals….. “the bringing of the stick”
showing off….
Neck stretching contest….
A quiet moment….
The last two below are from when they are actually trying to mate. I don’t think they had a clue what they were doing. And just when they finally got lined up correctly a big gust of wind would knock him right off of her! The female eventually got disgusted and flew off!
If this is something you might want to photograph, don’t wait. Because I don’t think it lasts very long. And take the longest lens you have. Or better yet, just take your binoculars and enjoy the show!!! Thanks for looking!