Romance Heron Style

I've been showing you a lot of scenes of predation and I thought it time to show the gentler side of bird life.

 I had observed courting behavior recently among some mallards so I thought perhaps it was time to check out the tree where several herons had nested last year.  I saw four nests, each with one or two birds.  These three were quietly co-existing in two of the nests.

 When this guy flew in, it was clear he didn't belong in this group.  I'd never before seen herons raise their crest as these did.

 I trained my camera on another nest, one with a single bird.  Suddenly it became alert.

 This arriving bird received a very different greeting.

 Notice the crests raised again, this is part of courtship behavior.

 These two seem to be on friendly terms.

 Very friendly terms.

 The stretched and fluffed neck is another courtship display and here they are grabbing each other's beak.  Perhaps the heron equivalent of a kiss?

After all of this display of affection they get to work tidying the nest.  I think they are going to need it!  Courtship displays are not as common in pair bonded couples so perhaps the two in the top photo are an old married couple, just standing around, comfortable with each other.

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