Red (and reddish)
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Nice to be back in Florida after an absence of two years and see one of my favorite birds.
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Found another Pic while fishing in my bloated 2014 Archives.
This Reddish Egret is doing the Hop, Skip, and Jump style of fishing. Haven't tried that myself, but he was having pretty good luck : )
Reddish Egrets are conspicuously long-legged, long-necked waders of coastal regions; more tied to salt water than any of our other herons or egrets.
Reddish Egrets have an unusual feeding behavior… running through shallows with long strides, staggering sideways, leaping in air, raising one or both wings, and abruptly stabbing at fish.
Reddish Egrets are either dark or white for life, beginning with the downy stage in the nest. Mated pairs may be of the same or different color morphs, and broods of young may include either or both morphs. Over most of range, dark birds are far more numerous.
(Nikon D7100, 80-400/5.6, 1/1000 @ f/8.0, ISO 800)
Last post for a few weeks. Busy these next few days then off to find some sun!
Taken near Fort Myers, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
Taken near Fort Myers, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
This Reddish Egret was putting on quite a theatrical performance whilst fishing in a tidal pool just before sunset near Fort Myers, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
Reddish Egrets are among photographer favorites in Florida marshes and ponds, both because of their beauty, and because of the antics they perform while in search of food. They run around helter-skelter to scare up fish, stop and raise their wings to create shadows and repeat the process until they are successful.
They are usually seen solitary.
The rare white morph of the Reddish Egret is shown in the first comment below, seen in the same location at Ding Darling NWR in 2013 and not seen since (by me).
Came across this adult bird in its breeding plumage a few days ago, it entertained me for quite awhile.,
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There always seems to be one Reddish Egret that waits for me to visit Ding Darling NWR each February ;-)
Reddish Egrets are amusing to watch when they are looking for a meal. They run around the impoundment trying to scare up a fish or invertebrate, stop abruptly and raise their wings to shadow the shallow water for a better look, and continue the process until they find something that seems to be worth eating.
Luring its prey into the shade provided by its wing.
Taken at Fort De Soto, Florida.
As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving any comments or faves, they are very much appreciated.
Reddish Egrets are very amusing to watch when they are feeding. Unlike Great Blue Herons that will stand motionless for long periods of time waiting for an unwary fish or frog, Reddish Egrets run around, sometimes appearing to jump up and down, scaring up a fish in the water. The egret may spread its wings to create a shadow in the water to make the fish more visible. In all, a most unusual and amusing display.
A reddish egret in the shallows at Fort De Soto Park in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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If you'd like to see more of my images, go to schockenphotography.com. I have many images of eagles and other raptors as well as owls, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, songbirds and mammals and I have a full section on birds in flight which is my specialty.
Good Saturday morning folks, hope everyone has a great day and weekend.
Early out folks, and this is the reason I go so so early, do not see them here in my neck of the wood, so an excuse to do a road trip, not always successful but for me worth the effort.
Thanks as always for stopping by, very much appreciated always.
A Reddish Egret in early dawn light
From birdnote:
The Reddish Egret, a particularly glamorous heron, is best known for its startling antics in capturing fish. When fishing, the egret sprints across the lagoon, weaving left and right, simultaneously flicking its broad wings in and out, while stabbing into the water with its bill. Fish startled at the egret’s crazed movements become targets of that pink dagger. At times, the bird will raise its wings forward over its head, creating a shadow on the water. It then freezes in this position for minutes. Fish swim in, attracted by a patch of shade and . . . well, you know the rest.
A Reddish Egret chases down some food, largely ignored by a Roseate Spoonbill.
From the American Bird Conservancy:
The Reddish Egret is one of the rarest egrets in North America. It's easily distinguished from other egrets and herons by its shaggy appearance, hyperactive feeding behavior, and pink-and-black bill.
Reddish Egret numbers in the U.S. were decimated by plume hunters in the 19th century, and populations never fully recovered. Like Snowy and Wilson's Plovers, this species is dependent on coastal habitats for successful foraging and breeding—the same areas that are vulnerable to sea level rise caused by climate change. Habitat loss is another problem for this bird.
The species occurs in two color morphs: a dark morph characterized by a slate-blue body and reddish head and neck, and a white morph that features completely white body plumage. The two-toned bill and shaggy neck are distinctive in both plumages.
Running Down Dinner
The Reddish Egret stalks its prey—mostly small fish—more actively than other herons and egrets. The birds first locate their quarry by sight, then the dance begins. They dash, lurch, and zig-zag after their prey, often holding their wings over the water as they hunt. This shadow-casting strategy is thought to reduce glare and help the egret more accurately sight and spear its prey.
From the photographer - I seldom see Reddish Egrets. I see Spoonbills much more often.
Taking a moment to wish everyone a very Happy and very Safe July 4th Holiday weekend, and to thank you all for staying here with me through all my Flickr trouble.
As I said he shook so so hard the little fishy had a new lease on life as you can see.
Thank you for stopping, much appreciated.
Check out the look on the Egret.