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

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