UTSW Rookery

Spring 2016 I started visiting the bird rookery at UTSW Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. It was my first time to see a rookery. In this gallery I am attempting to document what takes place in a rookery for each species of aquatic bird that comes here. It has been an amazing journey that I am sharing here. There are 8 species that nest here and I will divide them by species in the order that they show up.

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Awkward Mating Attempt 4 of 4

Right after this shot, the male did a little hop trying to get in the right position. He missed his mark and fell off the branch and managed to knock her off too and they both went down with wings flapping everywhere. I was not expecting that and missed that final shot when I looked up to see what the heck had just happened. They both flew off together so hopefully he got another chance.
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
UT Southwest Medical Center Rookery

snowy egret egretta thula breeding season breeding plumage egret white egret aquatic bird aquatic water fowl waders dallas texas Rookery courtship behaviors displaying breeding nesting UT Southwest Medical Center breeding colors breeding plumes plumes perched red lores mates coupled up mating snowy egret mating attempt