Posted by Jack Graham on August 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM
While getting settled here in Oregon I’ve been reading lots of books I brought with me about Blue Herons. I am preparing an article that will go up on my web site in a few weeks about these birds. It will be structured toward things most folks don’t know about them. Here’s a tease…did you know that they had 3 “fingers” facing front on their fee? Did you know that the middle “tow” has a special hook built in to help preen themselves with? It’s the only such hook on their feet or legs. More to come!
(This Heron was one of my last Heron images from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, Photographed June 2007)
JG
Posted by Tom Schwerin on August 10, 2007 at 9:42 AM
Gee Jack, do you know anything about their nesting habits?
Posted by Jack Graham on August 10, 2007 at 1:00 PM
The build really big nests.-JG
Posted by Lance Warley on August 10, 2007 at 1:28 PM
Yeah Jack, come on, give us something to work with here.
Nice shot...have you had a chance to get out yet at your new residence? You certainly got your work cut out for you. Have fun!
Posted by Jack Graham on August 10, 2007 at 6:40 PM
Lance,
There is a stage before mating that's call the "solo male stage", when an unpaired male heron selects a site, that normally includes a previously used nest in a rookery. By the time he takes over the existing nest the male is at full plumage, as well as having pronounced bright colors on his legs and his bill. They often roam from nest to nest trying to compete for supremacy. The male always picks the nesting location and often arrives weeks before the females..This is the only time when a male blue heron looks different from the female.
OTHER MALE TRAITS:
1) The male begins stretching and spreading its wings in the mating process before the female returns the compliments.
2) If the bird is flying with a straight neck ( flying with the neck at a 90 degree angle) its usually a male.
3) If the bird is flying in a circular pattern during the pre mating season, its usually a male.
4) Males will carry the sticks and present them to the females when nest building for mating.
Other than these items its really tough.
I hope this helps.
JG
Posted by Chuck Beatty on August 11, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Hey Jack. Nice shot here. Really like the soft colors. Looking forward to the article.
Those of you who want to experience BH nesting habits should come to the Cuyahoga Valley in the spring. There's a rookery close to Bath Road where you can watch the activities of 70 or so nesting pairs.
Posted by Robert Helms on August 12, 2007 at 7:57 PM
Love the shot, Jack. I love the blue myself. I spent some of the last week trying to get images of them. Do you know why they are so reluctant to hold still for me while I have a camera in hand? This question has been a tough one for me to answer I actually did get some nice shots this week, but I've been at it for a long time and these are my frist nice ones.
Hope you're getting all settled in and are enjoying your new surroundings.
Discussion
8 replies(This Heron was one of my last Heron images from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, Photographed June 2007)
JG
Oh, by the way - I love the photo. I hope to have a nice image of a Blue someday, as they are my favorite bird (I'll read your article with interest).
CJ
Nice shot...have you had a chance to get out yet at your new residence? You certainly got your work cut out for you. Have fun!
There is a stage before mating that's call the "solo male stage", when an unpaired male heron selects a site, that normally includes a previously used nest in a rookery. By the time he takes over the existing nest the male is at full plumage, as well as having pronounced bright colors on his legs and his bill. They often roam from nest to nest trying to compete for supremacy. The male always picks the nesting location and often arrives weeks before the females..This is the only time when a male blue heron looks different from the female.
OTHER MALE TRAITS:
1) The male begins stretching and spreading its wings in the mating process before the female returns the compliments.
2) If the bird is flying with a straight neck ( flying with the neck at a 90 degree angle) its usually a male.
3) If the bird is flying in a circular pattern during the pre mating season, its usually a male.
4) Males will carry the sticks and present them to the females when nest building for mating.
Other than these items its really tough.
I hope this helps.
JG
Those of you who want to experience BH nesting habits should come to the Cuyahoga Valley in the spring. There's a rookery close to Bath Road where you can watch the activities of 70 or so nesting pairs.
Hope you're getting all settled in and are enjoying your new surroundings.