The breeding season has begun for the Great Blue Herons at the Farmington Bay rookery and throughout northern Utah. Yesterday morning I observed and photographed the herons flying in and out from the rookery, building and refurbishing their nests and saw a pair mating on their nest too.

Great Blue Herons at the Farmington Bay rookery, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahGreat Blue Herons at the Farmington Bay rookery – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

This heron rookery is in a protected area of the marsh and approaching on foot is prohibited

I took a ton of long distance photos of the herons yesterday. I haven’t had time to go through them all but selected this image to share here today.

There were probably more than 75 Great Blue Herons on the rookery and on the ground close to it yesterday morning. It was fascinating to watch some of the herons searching through the marsh for nesting materials then lifting off to take them to the nests. It was also interesting to watch the males give the nesting materials to the females when they landed on the nests.

In the photo above the heron on the far right flew past the pair at the nest and then landed on another nest at the rookery. The incoming heron’s arrival stirred up the rest of the birds at the rookery. Some squawking was heard.

Spring is in the air

After refurbishing their nests and laying their eggs both the males and females will incubate the eggs for 27 to 30 days. It won’t be long now before there will be baby Great Blue Herons at this rookery at Farmington Bay. More herons at Farmington Bay is a great thing!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species.