Botanical Glossary - Home

(Left frame) Three mature chicks in one of over one hundred nests in trees above Park Lane in Stanley Park. The Parent is the taller Heron in background is waiting to decide who is going to be first in line for the bits of regurgitated food that the adult has acquired in its fishing trip.

As I observed this nest, I came to realize just how brutal the survival instincts are with these birds. The three chicks fought amongst each another, sword fighting with parrying, jabbing thrusts, sometimes grabbing each other's beaks to signify the pecking order of the nest. He who is strongest gets the lion's share of the grub.

The nest is a platform of sticks in these large Maple Trees beside Park Lane. The Herons usually lay between three and seven, pale blue/greenish eggs which incubate in about 28 days and the downy clad chicks leave the nest about 8 weeks after hatching.

Adults are large birds prone to wading in shallow rivers, swamps, tidal flats and lake shores fishing for frogs, crawfish, and other aquatic life. The long spear-like beak blue-gray color, long yellowish legs and long neck distinguishes this bird. In flight, the Blue Heron folds its neck, holding the head close to body to make it more stream lined. The head is white and black.

(Right Frame) One of the chicks from a neighboring nest wasn't so lucky. This one either fell out of the nest by accident, or became to week to feed and the siblings or parent pushed it out of the nest. The Raccoons in Stanley Park make short work of the fallen birds and hastily devour the chicks down to bone and feathers.

Raccoons are extremely adaptable and in most cases are not afraid of Humans. Raccoons are cute animals and are quite popular with tourists - don't make the mistake of trying to pet one as they can be extremely vicious. They have reddish brown guard hairs on top, with gray an black under hairs, mostly gray and black hair on the underside of its body. The Raccoon is distinguished by the bushy, tail alternating black and brown or brownish gray rings. The black mask with whitish outline is unmistakable, ears are small, blackish, dexterous paws which they use to grab and clutch small mice, crawfish, fish, and vegetable matter. They will burrow using the claws, or use the claws for climbing and usually den in hollow trees. Most are nocturnal, but when close to human habitation, will often come out near people looking for hand outs.