Great Blue Heron rookery -- part III

What's with the sticks?

They are part of the mating ritual combined with nest building. The male is attracting the female with the splendid branches he brings and hopes the female will accept. Below are some examples.

   

   

   

   

Will she take it?

  

She's reaching for it . . .

  

She TOOK it!

   

And it's put into place. Success! He: "I had better fluff up my feathers now!"

   

   

   

Here's another pair.

Another completed pass!

   

   

   

   

And a third pair . . .

He: "Now THIS is a splendid branch for your nest, my dear! Don't you like it?"

   

He: "Here, let me put it in place for you."

   

She: "GIVE it to me! You're not doing it right!"

(final installment will follow)