Blue Heron demonstrates "overshoot"

[robcat2075]

"Overshoot" in animation is when something moves out to a point then retracts a bit. It's a way of making something seem like it got over-stretched, that it reached the end of its rope, that great effort was involved

Here, some herons exhibit overshoot in their mating dance.  The head reaches far out for the big squawk, but settles back to a more relaxed position.

 

 

I not a bird expert but I think the male bird on the left is trying to impress the female bird on the right with how far he can stretch his neck and she's showing him how far he really needs to go before it's a deal.

She's not going to jump in the nest with just anyone!