In June, Matty, Rick and I spent a week on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. While Matty skimboarded and Rick played tennis, I headed to Pinckney Island to bird. I was there almost every day and have so many cool photos. This first series is of a juvenile Tricolored Heron waiting patiently for his mama or papa to bring him some lunch. He was the first bird I saw when I parked my bike and walked toward the Ibis Pond Rookery. I was shocked because he was on "our" side...not across the alligator mote on the unreachable island in the middle of Ibis Pond. Last year all the nests in the rookery were confined to the tiny island (click here for last year's 15 Pinckney Island posts), but this year, several Tricolored Heron families, Snowy Egret families, and Little Blue Heron families were nesting together in their own little colony on our side of the mote in the small trees near the water. The rookery had expanded...
This juvenile Tricolored Heron had already left the nest, but he was not old enough to fly out to the feeding grounds to find his own meal and still relied on his parents for regurgitated food.
Two of his siblings were hanging out in the treetops with him (they were about 20 feet off the ground, and their empty nest was about 7 feet off the ground). This fellow was getting very excited because he could see his mama or papa approaching...
Food!! Thank goodness...
He wanted more, but mama had other babies to feed...
...and other designs in mind. She seemed to be trying to get him to fly, and she stayed with him for a while, while he flapped his wings.
...eventually she took off and flew over to the other sibling.
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Oh Kelly, I'm so glad to finally get to see your photos from your June trip to the Hilton Head area.
ReplyDeleteThat baby Heron is adorable. I've never seen one that little... He was thrilled when Mama (or was it Daddy) came and fed him... Oh how precious!!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Thanks, Betsy! ...mama and papa look alike, so who knows! Both parents incubate the eggs and share responsibilities...
ReplyDeleteWow - this series is just amazing. You do such a wonderful job with your photography. Can't wait to see more!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous birds- great sequence.
ReplyDeleteA great series of photos. You were fortunate to be close enough to see and photograph such detail. I like the first photograph especially where it looks like a very spiky hair style!
ReplyDeleteThese are supurb! I love the "do" on the baby, quite stylish. A whole week of photos from Pinckney Island, how cool is that! I'm looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs!
ReplyDeleteAmazing sequence of shots Kelly.
ReplyDeleteThat first one had me going 'wow' when I saw it; then each one just got better.
Wonderful set of pictures Kelly. I love the two first ones a lot, he is so cute there. But the whole set is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the juvenile tri-coloreds! Isn't it nice that the rookery is now on the more approachable side?
ReplyDeletefantastic pictures Kelly. I have only seen an adult once, wonderful to watch them being fed
ReplyDeletedan
How beautiful, esp. the photos with mama! Lucky you to get to see her tending to him. :c)
ReplyDeleteKelly, absolutely stunning shots of TcH youngster and parent! Such intensity in the expression of the juvenile in the first two photographs!
ReplyDeleteHi Kelley....that is the cutest and wonderful photos of!!
ReplyDeleteThat young I think may have a cowlick problem though. : }
What beautiful birds! I never heard of a Tri-colored Heron, and am very happy to be introduced to them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of a gorgeous bird.I have been out over the winter quite a few times.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots!! It's als ncie to be able to visualize Ibis Pond, having been there now (and want to return). Your commentary is spot on and great entertainment Kelly!
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots Kelly. I have to admit as a novice birder on a first ever trip to Florida I had real trouble IDing this one. My old Peterson in hand I though it looked somewhat like a Louisiana Heron something or other. No it couldn't be...it was out of range etc. etc. Apparently they changed the name of this bird without informing me. :btw thanks for visiting my "other" blog. I also have a nature blog which I invite you to take a look at...
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI remember the last time you visited there and how much I enjoyed all your pictures. These are all so super! You seemed to be there at just the right time to record such an interesting exchange between mother and child.
I'm looking forward to more!
Have a great day!!
Wonderful series Kelly!
ReplyDeleteThe birds are so beautiful and the momento very special.
Regards
My favorite heron - phenomenal photos!
ReplyDeleteI just love those top two shots Kelly. Don't you just want to get a pair of scissors and trim that fluffy baby hair?
ReplyDeleteI'm bowled over by these beautiful lush and crisp photos Kelly. I think I said last year that this Pinchey place is one amazing birding area! Maybe one day I'll get there! (-:
ReplyDeleteLove that 'do in the first couple of shots!
ReplyDeleteWonderful series and I look forward to more.
I feel as though you took me back in time, time long ago. Such wonderful portraits and glimpses into their lives. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots! What a treat to see them so closeup.
ReplyDeleteAnother fantastic photo series Kelly! Your photos are phenomenal!
ReplyDeleteThe first shot especially, with the down still on the top of the little one's head is gorgeous. You got excellent shots of the adult feeding the juvie too. The second to last photo, with the adult and juvenile, wings spread, is just gorgeous! thank you so much for posting this Tri-colored Heron series. I really enjoyed it!
Your photos are fantastic. What a find! I love herons and you were fortunate to observe the mother feeding her young.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great series! I love his hairdo.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteWow- how exciting to capture this moment! These pictures are great :) I wish we got cool birds like that up here.
ReplyDeleteWhow Kelly ... I never got to get that close to a Tri-colored. Just love the hair do and those big eyes. FAB.
ReplyDelete...thanks, everyone. To take these photos, I was sitting at the top of the hill by the bench. The birds are right there in front of you. I was amazed they decided to nest on our side of the mote. Not that many people visit the place, and those that do seem respectful of the birds and don't get too close, so I guess it all works out. It's a must-see place if you're around Hilton Head in the late spring and early summer.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful! Love these! I am sharing them with my friends on twitter..and I may want to do a blog post linking to this if I may..
ReplyDelete...cool....thanks, Dawn! I love your bird newspaper!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful set of pics, Kelly, great birds and very interesting history. Congrats and hugs.
ReplyDelete