Pairing Off... (Ardia herodias)

I know, no nests or eggs yet so I hope this is OK. But these beauties are beginning the pairing rituals. At wakodahatchee they nest on the pond apple islands away from the allowed boardwalks. The islands are surrounded by water with some rather big and toothy reptiles. The birds know this keeps all predators from their nest. They happily nest here every year and are completely acclimated to people on boardwalks.