Great Blue Herons work diligently on building their new nests at this time of year, spending much of their day collecting and adding branches.
I watched as Mr. GBH flew off to the woods, looking for just the right branch. He thought about taking this long, bulky stick back to the nest, but later decided against it in favor of a simple short version.
I could barely see the skinny twig he chose as he dropped in for the ‘hand-off’ to Mrs. GBH waiting at the nest site.
No matter the size . . . . she leans over and carefully arranges the tiny branch just so, in the perfect location in her growing nest.
Despite their hard work, these beauties always manage to make time in their day for a little indulgent preening. 
Birder's Journey 
Great fun 🙂
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Yep! Always a joy to watch them at this time oof year!!
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Great photographs! It must be fascinating to watch the herons – thanks for letting us share it! 🙂
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It is fascinating, Ann. We’re so fortunate that they come to these very trees every year to find their mate and bring new chicks into the world. ☺️
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Those are wonderful shots for Valentine’s Day. I wonder if you got them at the Venice Rookery?
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Thanks… I never thought about the proximity to Valentine’s Day😍. These were taken at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Boynton Beach. 🌴☀️
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The selection and presentation of those little twigs always makes me laugh. Nice captures of the action!
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Thanks so much, Ellen. I agree – it’s amusing to see them deciding on just the right placement for each twig …. and they continue to arrange and rearrange daily ☺️
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Fantastic pictures! Nesting season is my favorite time of year!
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Much appreciated, Pam. It’s my favorite too… and the favorite of all the many ‘seasonal’ snowbirds and other visitors who ‘flock’ to see the birds.
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Great pictures of a striking bird!
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No doubt about it, they are especially beautiful in their breeding plumage!
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Lovely shots and story BJ, they do look very glamorous in their breeding plumage also.
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Haha… my sentiments exactly! Thanks, AB
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I so enjoyed watching this series of photos, BJ. The light on this elegant bird, and the action of the nest-building was a joy.
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You are always so kind, Jet. I really value your visit and your input on my post!
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Such great photographs – I do hope you’ll be able to keep watch over the progress of their nesting season as the chicks hatch and grow!
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Yes! It’s really quite comical to listen to the squawking chicks and watch their wobbly little heads pop up. They grow so fast though. I must go see their progress soon, as they’re being overtaken in many spots by the Wood Storks.
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Fantastic photos providing touching insight into a day in the lives of breeding herons. And they are so beautiful too!
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Your visit and thoughtful comments are very much appreciated! It’s a real privilege to be able to observe them so close up.
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What a beautiful series of shots! Great work! I love the vertical composition, the softened background, and the submissive expression on the heron in the last photo. The photo speaks of a gentle and caring parent preparing for young.
I remember one occasion I saw a Great Blue flying in. She had a long, thick branch in her mouth hanging down between her legs. On first glance I thought I was seeing a genetic rarity… a three-legged heron!
William – “What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.” Psalms 104 The Message
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Thank you so much for your visit and for your very kind comments on my great blue heron post, William. You’ve actually quoted my very favorite psalm! This is the translation of 104: 24 as I read it in my (Koren) Tehillim: “How manifold are Your works, Lord! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of Your creations.”
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That’s good documentation of nest-building.
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This couple was particularly industrious that morning ☺️
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What beauties! Your captures are stories, in themselves, never mind your prose to go with the photos. 🙂
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How very kind of you, Lorrie! The Great Blue Herons are easy subjects to photograph and write about☺️
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I love the one heron down/one heron up shot! They are so industrious, and so graceful!
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I loved reading all your sweet comments, Yaffa!!☺️
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Wow- seriously gorgeous photos!!!! What a bird!!
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Thank you so very much! Great Blue Herons are especially beautiful in the morning light during nesting season.
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Very welcome! Even your description here sounds beautiful!!
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