Spring time at the Rookery! Each spring there is a flurry of activity at Magnolia Plantation’s Rookery. The area is alive as Great Blue Herons, white Great Egrets and other large coastal birds begin the breeding season. After selecting an site for their nest, the nest building begins. The adults work as a team throughout the season, building their nest together and providing food. The male gathers sticks and other nesting materials and gives it to the female to arrange it their nest. These photos were taken at The Rookery at the Audubon Swamp at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston, SC. Sofia wants us to show pictures of what reminds us of spring. Be sure to chec out her post by clicking here.
Below are images of a herons and egrets as they prepare for the arrival of their chicks. It is the male who looks for sticks and other bulding materials for their nest and takes it to his mate for her to build as she likes.
Once the chicks appear, the parents are busy hunting for food for their new family. This heron found a black snake in the swamp and it taking it back to the nest.
Notice what this chick is eating in the picture below, it’s the remaines of a snake. (Double click to enlarge the image)
These older chicks are hungry and seem to be demanding their parent to provide more food!
These next pictures show Great Egrets preparing for their family. This male is taking a stick back to his mate to use in their nest. (As a side note, at the beginning of the breeding season egrets display a green patch of skin around the eyes and the female grows the beautiful long plumage seen here. This disappers once the chicks leave the nest.)
Here the male is handing over a stick to his mate so she can use it in their nest.
“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all this is.” – Jession Harrelson
Hope you are having an enjoyable spring season!