Great Blue Herons Sparring Times Two
Although you might worry the outcome and don’t want to see one injured, it is still interesting to watch how birds of the same species handle a disagreement over territory.
Twice I’ve photographed this action between two Great Blue Herons that began, and was over, just as quick.
The first instance, there were two Great Blue Herons fishing along a canal at Blackwater NWR. There was plenty of space between them, or so I thought, when suddenly one charged at the other one.
(click on the first image and you can watch the action as a slide show)
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
Great Blue Herons fighting over fishing territory.
It was over just as quick, with the upset Great Blue Heron succeeding in chasing the other one away to do his fishing elsewhere.
The second instance I saw from my balcony below on the marina pier where an incoming Great Blue Heron was not welcomed.
(click on the first image and you can watch the action as a slide show)
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Herons fighting over territory
Great Blue Heron that won!
All that awkward jumping and flailing while squawking at each other! It’s good to know no one was hurt and they all went on their way.
