Thursday, July 2, 2009

Cryptic faces (SWF)

Cryptic- Zoology (of coloration or markings)
serving to camouflage an animal in its natural environment.


Heronry

Resting on the bank for lunch, we gazed across the water of a narrow channel past what had appeared at further distance to be the old, weathered nests of herons, tucked high in a small cluster of snags standing in shallow water. All of great size, now reflecting their brightly white tangles of sticks in midday sun.
It seemed, as we examined with binoculars the water extending several yards beyond, that we could sneak outside the lake proper, float along the shaded creek from which the water entered, and avoid the heat of the day.


Then, on the lowest of the three messy platforms, a silhouette stood—and stepped awkwardly around its rim, before settling itself again, below the edge of the nest.
Soon, the hint of another feathered brown shoulder, as its sibling turned itself more comfortably, then wove its long white chin into the tangle of knobby white sticks.

(all photos enlarge with click)
Do you see what mother has left for them?



And, quickly finishing our last bites, we scooted off toward the towering platforms, glided quietly past, and looked up into the faces of four!

Great Blue Heron chicks in nest,
Cave Run Lake, Kentucky


See more Skywatch here.

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23 comments:

poefusion said...

These are some incredible pictures. I'd say those baby herons loved their lunch. Hope all is well.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Aren't those nests amazing?? and smelly.

Deborah Godin said...

That top photo is magical, like you've drifted into another world, where all the flora and fauna are new...

foto CHIP Sweden said...

Amazing! Lovely shots!
Have a nice day!

bobbie said...

I have never before seen herons in their nests. Thank you for these pictures.

giggles said...

*gasp*

Oh Nina.....These are fabulous peeks.....!!!!

Rune said...

Great shot you got here, thanks for sharing :)

Kathie Brown said...

Nina, what a fun experience! You are certainly getting around!

Amy said...

Great post. You can't beat an active heronry.

Larry D said...

Wonderful post and photos!

Wendy said...

Very cool. What a fabulous experience. And great pictures.

Esther Garvi said...

I love birding! Thanks for bringing us along!!

Anonymous said...

I'm jealous - my mother never brought me sushi!

KGMom said...

Nina--a most interesting post, and one I am glad to read.
I have been having terrific trouble loading your page. I keep getting an error message.
Since this one loaded, I grabbed the opportunity to read. If you ever wonder where has KGMom gone, please know I am "out there" trying to get your blog to load.

nina at Nature Remains. said...

KgMom--I'm glad (not really, but, you know) to hear that.
I'll keep my ears open to others' remarks.
Hopefully not too much a bother to scare you away!
Thank you for your persistence!
(I do know that the Running Wild post failed at posting and had to be reloaded--so you may find a dead link hanging somewhere)

Yay, Wren, you found it! :-)

Ebie said...

Great Sky Watch entry! I thought they were nests. Never seen them so close.

Arija said...

What a naturalist you are Nina!
Such wonderful, wonderful captures of the crowded nest.

Robin said...

Oh.... wonderful.

Thank you!

Regina said...

Great captures. Amazing.

Elisabeth's bright side said...

That was just amazing pictures to see! Have a great weekend.

betty-NZ said...

That's an amazing series of photos! Thanks for sharing them. The little faces are so incredible!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Wonderful post, enjoyed seeing the herons nests. I wonder how deep that water is?
Marnie

Dagrun said...

We actually have herons in the neighbourhood too this year, but I've not seen any nest.

Lovely SWF post! :)