The Twins are Hungry ~ What a Momma Great Egret has to endure!
The Twins
Every time I see it I cringe. As baby egrets grow they vie harder and harder to be the chosen one when Momma returns to the nest with food. The young birds will actually clamp their beaks onto Mom’s beak, on her face, and even her neck. The kind of cute little things turn into little monsters and I don’t know how Mom endures it time after time!
Welcoming Momma home!
Clamping onto Momma’s beak!
The twins in these photos are a little too young to fly but they are getting active, flapping their wings and walking around the nest. At this stage Mom and Dad will leave the nest unattended and fly off to find food to bring back to the nest.
Home Alone!
At first the young birds look lost, being home alone, but then they interact like siblings will do. This is always a fun time for bird photography because they will create some funny poses and get in each other’s way. At times they get a little too brave and close to the edge of the nest. Their wings aren’t fully developed so it would be a rough landing down below. Not to mention there is an alligator that is always circling in the water beneath the branches hoping for just such a moment to occur.
Play time for the twins!
“Momma don’t leave me alone with him!”
“I believe I can fly!”
Before I even spotted Mom returning with food, these young egrets stood ready on high alert. They somehow knew it was almost feeding time. As Mom returned the excitement level built and the twins became very animated.
On high alert!
Food is coming!
Mom returns for feeding time!
Mom always had food but it was swallowed. She would stand tall at first to settle the twins down and to prepare for battle. Then she gradually lowered her head until the twins started clambering for food, stretching up and snapping at Mom’s head. Eventually after all the clamping mom regurgitated the food into the young birds beaks.
Standing tall to settle the twins down!
I don’t know how an eye isn’t poked out or a windpipe isn’t damaged during this ritual. As the twins age it all will get rougher and rougher, until one day Mom and Dad won’t come back. At that stage it’s time for the juveniles to fledge and find their own food.
Let the clamping begin!
Watch the eyes!
I am amazed at how dedicated these large, graceful birds are to their offspring. They will sit on their eggs for hours, protect them from extreme heat by shading them with their wings, and fight off any prey that approaches the nest.
“Where did Momma go”?
Two is a lot to handle, but sometimes there are three or even four! When there are that many usually the smaller weaker ones won’t survive.
I thought I’d share this sequence of images with you since it was such an interesting sight to see and experience.
Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my art and photography. Please check back soon to see what’s on my easel next! :)
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”
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Drawing by William R. Beebe