It appears that some of the Great Blue Herons are preparing for the new nesting season already. Fun to see them on this very overcast morning. I was a bit surprised to even observe this common mating display, stretching his neck skyward. Hope he finds a girlfriend ♥️!
Glad I saw these GBH’s that morning, because when I left, a new sign had just been posted saying this birding spot will be closed till October 29! Bummer 🙁
Birder's Journey 
how majestic!
On Sun, Oct 24, 2021 at 4:06 PM Birder’s Journey wrote:
> Birder’s Journey posted: ” It appears that some of the Great Blue Herons > are preparing for the new nesting season already. Fun to see them on this > very overcast morning. I was a bit surprised to even observe this common > mating display, stretching his neck skyward. Hope he fin” >
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In the coming few months, we will see more and more of these marvelous Herons showing off their breeding plumage, Yishai!
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Nice photographs!
Love watching these big birds go through courtship, mating, raising young ones.
Sorry to hear about the closure. That’s a long spell!
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thanks, Wally, yes it is a long stretch for this wonderful spot to be closed. Especially just after the Great Blue Herons start settling back in. Fortunately, they will be with us for quite a while.
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I did not realize they mate and have another breeding season besides summer between here and there. Is the closure for protective purposes while they breed? At least it only lasts until Friday.
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Actually, I took these photos on October 11, so it feels like a long time for it to be closed. The closure is for maintenance and repairs – they do this every year. Not for protective purposes. This constructed wetlands doesn’t have a nature center, but it is a County facility operated by the water utilities department. The Great Blue Herons are generally the first large wading birds to come back and start picking out their nesting areas and looking for mates during the late fall.
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The absolute best time of year. I have a three month wait for nesting 😳
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Yes it is! I was a little surprised to see this so early, but as I look back, our GBH’s always start these behaviors around this time of year.
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I hope he does find himself a girlfriend and that you get to see the babies – and share them with us, please! It must be frustrating that the birding spot will be closed for a while but hopefully the birds will make the most of the privacy… 🙂
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Yes, Ann, it was a bit of a tease to think that they were starting the breeding season and it’s closed right now. But they will be with us, courting and having lots of babies and, yes, we’ll have lots to watch over the coming months!
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Beautiful GBH images! Enjoyed seeing them! Another of my favorite birds to photograph!
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I love to photograph them too! They are so graceful and elegant, and yet they can be oddly comical at times, too!
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Great capture and looking snazzy especially in that first image! I like your second image with the Anhinga looking on, too.
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Thanks so much, Ellen! I agree… They do look pretty snazzy as they prepare for breeding season.
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