We’re fortunate to have an abundance of Wood Storks in our local wetlands. “However, because Wood Storks occur only in a small portion of the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists them as federally threatened.” (All About Birds)
Our breeding Wood Storks have been gathering in great numbers for several months now. 
Some Wood Stork nestlings are still pretty little, while others have grown much bigger already. They will fledge at about 10 weeks of age.
But no matter how large and strong the babies are getting, their Wood Stork parents are still working hard all day to protect and care for their young.
Male and female Wood Storks both work to build the nest and take turns caring for the young and foraging for food. “An average nesting pair, with two fledglings, may eat over 400 pounds of fish during a single breeding season” (National Geographic)!!
They make sure the nest is always arranged just right.
They head to the woods to hunt for the perfect branches to bring back to line the nest.
Male and female Wood Storks look very much alike so it’s hard to know who is flying off and who is staying home to watch the kids.☺️ Back to home base with this fluffy, leafy find!🌿
Great excitement erupts upon the parent’s return . . . .but the babies probably think s/he is bringing a tasty fish or plump frog, not just nesting materials! 
Oh well, maybe there’ll be a treat on the next trip . . . 😉
Birder's Journey 
Great pics! Four hundred pounds, who knew?
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It’s hard to imagine! But they do get really big really fast!
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Wonderful series 👏👏👏. As many Wood Storks as we have viewing them in a rookery is very hard in the Lowcountry. Almost all breeding areas here are completely off the grid or private land.
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On the Florida gulf coast, visitors are not allowed to enter the areas of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary where there is Woodstork nesting either.
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I have seen them at Corkscrew but didn’t know there was a rookery there. Being close in a rookery is tricky. The large one here works because it’s been around a plantation for hundreds of years. Birds that come are familiar with it. Same as the ‘Alligator Farm’. Others here have been abandoned if too many people are near.
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A fascinating article on the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary site about the history of their Woodstorks. I didn’t even realize how very rare their nesting has been in the past couple of decades: https://corkscrew.audubon.org/conservation/wood-storks
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Thanks 😃😃
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Excellent series!
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Thanks so much, Belinda! They’re irresistible to watch.
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Thanks for a very interesting and pictorial insight into these beautiful birds BJ
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I’m glad you enjoyed it and found the info interesting, AB!
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Very nice captures, Carol. Wonderful! You have the whole family of wood storks in a busy day. 🙂
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It is rather amazing how many mating pairs and nestlings we have in this entire wetland! And they’ve been increasing in numbers every year.
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Gorgeous captures of the little ones, Carol, and what fun for you to get to see them grow up!
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Thank you, Ellen! Yes, and it is just amazing how quickly they grow!!
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They might not be among the most classically beautiful birds, but they’re still a joy to behold!
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Very true! I am always struck by people who say Woodstorks have a face that only a mother could love. But they are really adorable in their own special way!
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You are so lucky to see them this well – that’s fantastic! I love how fuzzy they are. Great time of year!
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It truly is an amazing time of year here!☀️ The Wood Stork nests are amazingly close to the boardwalk!
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Awe-inspiring. You are very lucky to have them close-by. I have never seen a wood stork.
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We certainly are very lucky, Tanja! I distinctly remember the first time I ever saw one… to a former New Yorker, this was a very unusual bird!
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Great images and lucky you who can get them so close. They’re amazing!
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Thank you so much! Yes, they really are, Anita, and we are very lucky – you could just about reach out and touch them.
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Thank You for following my blog. This support is appreciated.
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I’m glad to have discovered it!
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Beautiful captures, Carol! Lucky you! Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much for visiting, Lorri!
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absolutely adorable, carol ❤️
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I was there again today, and there are even more new babies, squawking away, begging for food!😉
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keep the photos coming! I only saw a ‘teen’ Wood Stork couple months ago, almost Mama’s size but still a head of hair. 🙂
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Lol!🤗
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Beautiful series of shots!
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