Over the past few days I have been swamping at sunrise. I have learned many facts:

1. Standing in a swamp at sunrise is not for the faint of heart
2. Flies come out 90 minutes after sunup … when the day starts to warm up
3. Great Blue Heron chicks look like Sneetches!

I was actually amazed to find both the Great Blue Heron and Osprey chicks still on their nests. These two birds return to the Canosia State Wildlife Area about the first week of May. Thus I was surprised to find them still on next on August 1st.

Anyone, here are my Sneetch images. I was only able to spend ten minutes on site at the rookery. The flies drove me away.

Canosia State Wildlife Area Great Blue Heron Chicks (term used loosely … they’re big!)

Thankfully, the two Osprey nests are not as deep in the swamp which means fewer flies. My bug repellent worked well for mosquitoes. The second nest is actually in the bucket of an old steam shovel. Mike Mulligan would be pleased!

Parent Calling Out

Breakfast Time (for one chick only)

Testing Flight Wings