Stick, on a Bird

The Herons (like Rooks) start nest building around this time of year.  

Although the Herons are building their nest in the reeds, they don't build their nest out of reeds, although reeds will have formed the base.  For the nest proper they need sticks.

One of them stays at the nest site, to repel any invaders, while the other flys off for a bit, ultimately returning with the next stick.  The newly arrived stick carrier stays to put the stick in place and in turn the sitter is freed up to go off, coming back in due course with another stick.

I do like the way that the bird is flying low through the reeds at this point, it's nearly at the nest site,  but you can still see it clearly.  The diagonal angle the stick is held at also contrasts nicely with the angle of the bird itself.  If you've got the time to spare have a look in large - I think this is one of my favourite shots this year so far (I know, I know, its only just February).