Alert! The great blue heron who are featured on the Chesapeake Conservancy's webcam located on Maryland's Eastern Shore have returned to their rookery about two weeks earlier than usual this year.

Viewers noticed last night great blue heron at several nests featured by the rotating cam and were treated to quite a show of their mating rituals.

The cam has been upgraded this year with better panning and zooming capabilities, higher resolution, and a strong infrared camera for clear night views.

As I type, the great blue heron are off their nests, presumably hunting for today's catch. Attached is a photo taken last night with permission to publish credit to the Chesapeake Conservancy. 

Viewers can enjoy watching these beautiful birds in their nests 80 feet high in loblolly pine trees at www.chesapeakeconservancy.org. In partnership with Explore.org, the Chesapeake Conservancy also hosts an osprey cam featuring Tom and Audrey on Kent Island and a peregrine falcon cam featuring Boh and Barb in downtown Baltimore.