Changing of the Guard...

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
March 12, 2015

After coffee and our favorite juice blend we were off early to get Pearl's tires rotated. Something we needed to do before another trail run. Afterwards, I wanted to take my camera to Greg's Cameras Shop (We have been going there for as long as we have been coming to Tucson.) for a going over. Little did I know that my soul mate and number one admirer had a lens picked out he thought I might want. Today is my birthday and what a very thoughtful surprise I had. In addition to having my camera gone over and receiving a very nice gift, we learned of a nesting spot for Great Blue Herons right here in Tucson, Arizona. If you are here in Tucson and need a camera shop, Greg's (6336 N. Oracle Rd. suite #342) is the place to go...they sell Canon and Nikon and all the extras you will want. 
My new lens is a Tamron 150-600mm. It's big and heavy, but boy can it zoom! Joe included a mono-pole for stability and a padded case. 

Silverbell Lake at Christopher Columbus Park

 We didn't waste anytime heading to Silverbell Lake where Greg and Guillermo said the herons were nesting. 




This area is near the Sweetwater Wetlands which is a man-made wetlands that uses recycled treated water to keep the wetlands thriving. I found out today this is one of the top birdwatching spots in Tucson. 

  Most breeding colonies are located with-in 2-4 miles of feeding areas...isolated in swamps or on an island like the one here at Silverbell Lake...how on earth did herons find Tucson and choose to nest here?

The male heron collects much of the nesting material, gathering sticks and presenting them to the female. The female then weaves a platform and lines it with moss, dry grass, etc. It can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks to complete a nest. A finished nest measures up to 4 feet across and nearly 3.5 feet deep and will be used multiple years.

There are 3 birds in this photo...the one sitting on the nest is in the middle and barely seen. At first I thought maybe it was feeding time...

I did read about a nest relief ceremony in which the birds erect their plumes and "clapper" their bill tips...

And that is what I called "changing of the guard".




I could have spent the whole day watching! 














The lake was full of coots and ducks...

...and the trees were full of birds too.

Until next time, take care and...

happy trails!