Rookeries of large wading birds are bustling this time of year. Large birds nesting in very close quarters, with a background of odd noises of wading birds, and often punctuated by mating birds, fights, begging chicks and weird growling noises. In the southern US, there is likely to be an alligator or two in the water below them just to add to the excitement. For super large colonial nesters to be nesting this close to one another is an exercise in patience and tolerance. At least from a human viewpoint. The birds dont seem to mind though, and they get along relatively well considering. If you haven’t experienced these crazy rookeries, it’s worth a visit. You can often sit in hides where you can observe the action up close and get to know the birds. individually. Like the two Wood Storks in this photo who seemed so compatible and chill in the midst of spring madness, everyone who saw them commented on it. That lasted until a neighbor mistakenly poked one of them with a stick intended for their own nest…