A Couple of Great Egrets - SMAP

Joining into this weeks Feathered Friends Show Me a Photo #SMaP 172 contest since the theme of "Bird Couples" aligns with some pictures I took recently but hadn't posted yet.
Here is my entry:
I like to call it "The Protector" a role I frequently identify with.

These are Great Egrets from a recent visit to a Florida rookery near St. Augustine Florida. Hard to tell from the pics, but they are about 3 feet tall and wingspan of about 4 feet. Quickly becoming one of my favorite places to visit. These are my favorites from a set of shots where another male was attempting to intrude on this couple trying to nest. It was quite exciting to witness the short battle as he successfully defended his partner and nest from the unwanted intruder. I really need to get out more and learn how to use the video functions of the camera. This would have be great to film a video of.

Here they are giving warning squawks to the other male as he started flying in towards them.

In this shot, you can just make out the other male coming in to land as they both try to fend him off.

Here they are in the aftermath, getting a bit settled, but still alert.

I hope you enjoyed viewing as much as I enjoy shooting them!