Heron Egg Sitting Swap
The Cottonwood Trees were not even leafing yet. The trees flowers were out. The thinest branches are tested at the crest of this 50 foot tall Cottonwood Tree. These birds weigh 5 pounds and grow 5 foot tall. Names “Great Blue Heron”. That’s a big bird coming in for a landing. This Male had just returned from it’s feeding mission around the area. The Female got to leave with the male settling in to sit on the eggs. They usually hunt within a few miles of their rookery.
These guys are AMAZING masters of the sky. I’ve spent some time watching Heron’s over the years. Building your nest near the top of 50 foot high cottonwoods one stick at a time is a story of a lot of trips by the male. The male does the stick supply route over and over again but it’s the gals job to build the house. She will carefully weave and cajole all the loose sticks together.
I’ve seen them land and take off in all situations. This shot shows one of the smoothest landings I’ve ever seen a bird make. Floating down like a single feather. He had to land on a moving target with a slight wind. This landing was “nailed”. He was essentially levitating not moving and just dropping inches a second. Taken right at touchdown. What grace !
Location: The Heron Rookery in the wetlands at the Bliss Dinosaur Ranch, Wyoming/Montana borderlands.
Title: Heron Egg Sitting Swap