A pair of great blue herons at their nest at Wakodahatchee wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida.
Photo: Ronen Tivony

My photo of a Great Blue Heron pair at their nest in Wakodahatchee Wetlands (Delray Beach, Florida) was published in The Guardian’s “Week in Wildlife” gallery on January 30, 2026. Click here to see the complete gallery: The Guardian Week in Wildlife.

Wakodahatchee Wetlands: a rookery in the suburbs

Wakodahatchee is a man‑made wetland created from treated wastewater, but for birds it has become prime real estate. The boardwalk loops over open water, cypress islands, and dense willow stands, offering close views of herons, egrets, anhingas, and wood storks that use the islands as a safe nesting colony. Because alligators frequent the ponds, many mammal predators stay away, turning these small tree islands into secure nurseries for wading birds.

For photographers and birders, that means intimate encounters without leaving the city. Parking is easy, the walk is short and flat, and the birds are often at eye level or slightly below, which is ideal for clean, engaging portraits and behavior shots. During nesting season, you can capture everything from courtship displays and stick deliveries to the frantic begging of chicks and their first clumsy wing flaps above the nest.

Behavior to look for at the nest

Spending a full “week in wildlife” with one pair lets you predict behavior instead of just reacting to it. A few patterns quickly become clear:

  • Stick runs: One adult repeatedly flies off to cut or steal sticks, then returns, presenting them with a short, stiff‑winged landing right into the nest. Watch for the moment both birds grab the same stick; their bills cross in a brief, photogenic interaction.

  • Courtship displays: Early in the season, herons perform a stretch display, neck extended and bill pointed skyward while they snap twigs or shake their plumes. Side-light brings out the texture in these feathers.

  • Shift changes: When one bird relieves the other on the nest, there’s often a short vocal exchange and careful stepping around the eggs or chicks. This handoff is one of the most expressive moments to photograph.

  • Feeding chaos: Once chicks hatch, feedings become explosive. The adult leans in and regurgitates food while the young lunge upward, bills flashing. Anticipating this burst of motion is key to freezing the action.

Treat these behavioral cues as your shot list. Instead of firing constantly, wait for these predictable peaks: arrival, display, handoff, and feeding. It makes your coverage stronger and your presence quieter.