Blue Heron - Final Nesting Update

The precarious shamble of sticks that became a heron nest withstood summer storms, including hail, and stands empty, its purpose fulfilled despite our reservations when we first watched the heron pair build it back in late May. The three eggs took some 28 days to hatch, and just a week or so for the three to become two as the weakest was evicted from the nest.
Today we spotted the last juvenile to fledge on a low branch not far from the nest and peering into the pond, perhaps contemplating the trials of independence. In the days to come, it will begin to hunt and dine alone, and then soon follow the sun as in a few more weeks it moves below the equator.
We look forward to revisiting the rookery next spring to see if our nearby beaver pond will become a regular attraction for heron.