A heron nest, located at top of a dead tree in an area flooded by beaver activity, remained active for two seasons. I hike through this area most weeks throughout the year, and so naturally have many photos.
This photo is sometimes hard to see at first. A parent heron is feeding his/her two babies. The parent is in front with wings outstretched, legs at the front of the nest, facing back, with head and neck leaning over to the left and down to the baby. One baby is positioned left to right, with tail to the right, the other baby is positioned front to back. The first baby is receiving breakfast in this photo. It took me some time to sort out what I was seeing. The parent's head is at the left and pointed down. The baby's head is reaching and pointed up - the sun is on it - and the mother's beak is inserted into the baby's beak. The neck of the second baby is behind - the distinctive curve of the neck is apparent going up, with the head pointing in to the fray.
Cheating, for sure - in Monterey, within city limits, is a body of water referred to as an estuary, though its opening to the ocean appears to be long ago closed. This heron has taken up residence, and is sufficiently used to people walking by that it let me walk right up and take a full-frame head shot!
I was parked on the river bank waiting for a family of swans to move into view, when this heron flew in from the right. Naturally I photographed the landing. The heron was flying from right to left, and I arranged the series in like fashion - right to left.
Announcing the start of spring - return of parents to last year's nest.
Incidentally, in the picture above, there are three herons. I presume it is the mother who is on the nest, and in this photo she is barely visible. I am speculating that the parents are returning to the nest, as this was an active nest last year, with 2 parents and 3 offspring. And so I wonder if the two parents are present this year, along with one of their offspring - and in that case seems a bit awkward!
A shift to Maine, near Camden, a grey October day, grey rocks at the shoreline, and a grey Heron - well camouflaged.
A heavy fog morning - very pleasant to be out, makes for a softer image.
Green Heron
