A snowy egret wades the shallows in hopes of catching a fish in the light of the rising sun

A few ruffled feathers as the Egret surveys the waters around the rocks

Snowy Egret

Many thanks to all those who View, Comment and or Fave My Photos... It is greatly appreciated... Roy

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All About Birds: "During the breeding season, adult Snowy Egrets develop long, wispy feathers on their backs, necks, and heads. In 1886 these plumes were valued at $32 per ounce, which was twice the price of gold at the time. Plume-hunting for the fashion industry killed many Snowy Egrets and other birds until reforms were passed in the early twentieth century. The recovery of shorebird populations through the work of concerned citizens was an early triumph and helped give birth to the conservation movement."

This is from December 2020 in the spillway at Brazos Bend. The spillway fills with water after a big rain, and the birds come to feed. It’s a great place to arrive early, and wait for whatever may transpire. I previously posted a few wider images from this particular morning. This snowy came quite close. Brazos Bend State Park in SE Texas - 12/2020.

snowy egret

Egretta thula,

Morro Bay, California

Snowy Egret

I just returned from Florida...I'll be in front of this silly computer for months!!

Many thanks to all those who View, Comment and or Fave My Photos... It is greatly appreciated... Roy

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Thanks so much for the visit!

Thanks so much for the visit!

Snowy Egret

Many thanks to all those who View, Comment and or Fave My Photos... It is greatly appreciated... Roy

All images full frame unless the filename reflects "Crop"

Egretta thula,

Morro Strand State Beach,

Morro Bay, California

On a very foggy morning, there was a feeding frenzy of Brown Pelicans just offshore. Meanwhile this bird and several other egrets patrolled the edges of the surf for small fish which had separated from the huge school being attacked by the pelicans.

Strike two was also a miss but three through six were winners for the Snowy Egret. Not so much for the menhaden. On Horsepen Bayou.

20210227-_Y8A0374

Snowy egret

DJH08420-Edit

Snowy Egret

From Florida Trip

Many thanks to all those who View, Comment and or Fave My Photos... It is greatly appreciated... Roy

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The main reason I posted this shot is that I liked the colors - almost autumnal with the russet colored plants and golden early sunlight.

Snowy Egret taking a bath

Snowy egret ;

Pismo beach lagoon

Snowy egret

DJH08415-Edit

Florida

Fresno County

For some reasons, the snowy egret's beak reminded me of chopsticks, the way it's grabbing the fish.

I just love watching the different fishing methods employed by snowy egrets. In this one, they dance across the surface of the water, stirring up fish. When the egret sees the target, it doinks it's beak and head into the water, and pulls out a fish. A few flaps later and the fish is down the gullet. The ratio of energy spent to calories consumed seems off to me. Gonna have to down a LOT of wee fish to get a full belly.

This snowy egret was having some success nabbing fish from Pond 5 at the riparian preserve

Snowy egrets sometimes dance across the surface of the water presumably to stir up fish. Then they stab down and pull out minnows. Cool to watch.

Poor fishy making that Mr. Bill, "Oh noooo!" face as this snowy egret prepares to send him gut-ward.

Thanks so much for the visit!

Snowy Egret

Many thanks to all those who View, Comment and or Fave My Photos... It is greatly appreciated... Roy

All images full frame unless the filename reflects "Crop"

A snowy egret on Pond 5 this morning. Snowy egrets use a variety of fishing techniques, but the one employed this morning was to jiggle its beak right on the surface of the water. This attracts fish, thinking its an insect or something. With the fish lured in, the egret makes a quick strike and the fish goes down the hatch. The snowy egret's body is a bit larger than a crow

Thanks so much for the visit!

By the colors here, you'd think it was autumn. But alas, this photo was taken on August 26th. The sun had just come up casting a golden glow on the pond and having my camera on the ground seemed to further intensify the golden hue.