Great blue heron chicks beg their mother for food at the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida. Photo: Ronen Tivony
My photograph of Wakodahatchee Wetlands heron chicks was just featured in CNN’s “The Week in Photos” gallery. The gallery covered March 5 – March 12, 2026. This is one of the most rewarding moments of my career as a wildlife photojournalist.
Every week, CNN curates a stunning global gallery. It showcases powerful images from around the world, including breaking news, human interest, and natural history. I am incredibly honored that my image of these great blue heron chicks at Wakodahatchee Wetlands caught the attention of their editors. As a result, they selected it to sit alongside compelling imagery from across the globe.
Great Blue Heron Chicks at Wakodahatchee Wetlands: View the CNN Gallery
You can view my featured photo by visiting the official gallery here: CNN The Week in Photos (March 5 – March 12)
I captured this frame on Tuesday, March 10. I was shooting at the spectacular Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida. The image shows a group of great blue heron chicks stretching their necks and calling out insistently. Their mother had just returned to the nest. It is a raw, chaotic, and deeply moving display of nesting season in full swing.
Wakodahatchee is an absolute paradise for birding and wildlife photography. The boardwalk winds through a lush wetland environment. Dozens of species nest in close proximity here, giving photographers and naturalists an unparalleled window into avian life. Furthermore, during peak nesting season, the Wakodahatchee Wetlands heron chicks are among the most dramatic subjects you will encounter. They are constantly active, vocal, and full of personality.
I am a certified Florida Master Naturalist. Because of this, I find documenting these critical stages of avian life especially meaningful. I watch heron chicks grow from helpless hatchlings into strong, independent birds over just a few weeks. In addition, this process serves as a reminder of how extraordinary the natural world is and why it deserves our protection.
About the Photo: Great Blue Herons Nesting in Florida
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest heron in North America. It is also one of Florida’s most iconic wading birds. At Wakodahatchee Wetlands, great blue herons nest alongside tricolored herons, anhingas, snowy egrets, and roseate spoonbills. For that reason, this location ranks among the best in the southeastern United States for photographing nesting wading birds.
Great blue heron chicks hatch after roughly 28 days of incubation. In the early weeks, they depend entirely on their parents for food. As they grow, the nest becomes increasingly crowded and energetic. The chicks jostle for position and compete loudly for each meal. This period typically peaks between February and April in South Florida. Therefore, it offers some of the most dynamic wildlife photography opportunities of the entire year.
I lead specialized bird photography workshops in Delray Beach timed to the nesting season. These workshops suit photographers of all skill levels. So if you want to photograph Wakodahatchee Wetlands heron chicks and other nesting species for yourself, I would love to have you join me.
About Ronen Tivony
Ronen Tivony is an award-winning wildlife photojournalist and photography workshop leader based in Florida. He holds a Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS). He is also a certified Florida Master Naturalist through the University of Florida.
He specializes in avian subjects, from Wakodahatchee Wetlands heron chicks to Roseate Spoonbills and Ospreys. His dynamic images have appeared in prominent publications worldwide, including CNN, The Times, BBC, The Guardian, and The Atlantic. When he is not in the field documenting the natural world with his Sony cameras, he leads specialized workshops. These workshops help other photographers capture the beauty of Florida’s wildlife.