Checking the Egret Rookery

Kids are growing fast. Wouldn't be surprised if some haven't already tested their wings. You can still tell the older chicks by their unkempt hair.



I still find it hard to believe that these large birds can build and maintain such small nests. Once the chicks get this big there is no room for Mom or Dad.



There are still some younger chicks around but very few. Only a couple calling constantly anymore. Most are busy preening their new feathers.



High overhead, Anhinga fly in and out of their treetop nests. Wonder when I will ever see any of those chicks? There are several adults drying in the sunlight.



Nearby, a pair of Wood Ducks rests on the cypress knees.



Wood Ducks are often very skittish. This pair allowed me too get a little closer but they were still nervous.



I was about to try for an even closer shot when something caught my eye to the left. An Anhinga chick! So they are leaving the nests. It just appeared out of an azalea bush and wandered straight toward the Wood Ducks. Timed that one right.



Farther down the bank, a newly emerged Anhinga adult climbs onto a cypress tree to start drying off.



Just over the water's edge, resting on a Button Bush tree, was a gorgeous Spicebush Swallowtail.



Finally, a foraging adult Great Egret still sports breeding plumage and glides slowly through the garden searching for lizards.



Not much time left to visit these young birds. They will be ready to move on and I will wrap up school soon and will not be so close for lunch breaks. Have to enjoy it while I can.