Love is in the air!
Momma manatees give birth and are raising calves in our canal. We have two “toddlers” this year.
Each spring our back yard becomes a nursery/rookery for the manatees and night herons.
Here are a few pics of the returning wildlife. We’re up to eight night heron nests and two extended families of manatees. (Seven in one “herd” and five in the other.) When all twelve are cavorting around our narrow canal we need to install a traffic light. Some weigh well over 500 pounds. In addition two green heron nests are sandwiched in between the night herons.
Nosing up to the mangroves to nibble on the leaves. Notice #2 up under the bushes?
Here’s a brief film clip of manatees being manatees.
The night herons normally do a good job of hiding their nests so it takes some real concentration to find them camouflaged in the mangroves. We have an exception this year. The pair are real exhibitionists. The Geezer calls them Madonna and Justin. Here are some pics.
Green heron invasion! Sometimes you wish for a camera but…….. A black snake tried to steal this herons eggs, but the whole bird community responded and made Swiss Cheese of Mr. Slithers.
Mom and babies – how quickly they grow!
Madonna and Justin showing off their plumage!
Exhibitionists !!!!!!!!
This green heron looks like he has a hangover in the early morning light.
Ain’t love grand?
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Sandysays' Weblog 
Wonderful pictures
Very nice! Lately, I’ve been trying to snap some photos of the woodpeckers that are frequenting my suet feeder, but I haven’t gotten a good one yet; maybe I can borrow one of your exhibitionist birds?! Anyway, I love these!
This is your backyard?! You are living right, Sandy.
Yep.
This post is simply awesome. Keep going buddy
Wow, those are great pictures! Any time I try to photograph birds, the bird takes off just as I focus, or else my hands shake at the exciting thought that maybe, just once, I might get a clear shot. I have lots of blurry bird pictures! 😉
Madonna and Justin, what great names for amazing photos.