Cattle Egret

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Cattle Egret
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3085 W: 231 N: 5879] (19530)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Photo Version: Original Version
Travelogue: Florida
Date Submitted: 2007-05-09 2:48
Viewed: 448
Points: 20
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A cattle egret in full breeding plumage standing guard over his nest at a bird sanctuary

CATTLE EGRET
Bubulcus ibis

Héron garde-boeufs (French)
Depulgabuey, Garrapatosa, Garrapatera, Garza de ganado, Garza de vaquèra, Garcita de ganado, Garcilla garrapatera, Garcilla bueyera (Spanish)
Buff-backed Heron (English)

A small white heron of pastures and roadsides, the Cattle Egret is more at home foraging in grass than in water. It follows cattle, horses, and tractors to catch the insects they stir up.

Description:
Medium-sized all-white heron.
Sturdy yellow bill.
Dark legs and feet.
Swollen throat.
Rather short, thick neck for a heron.
Size: 46-56 cm (18-22 in)
Wingspan: 88-96 cm (35-38 in)
Weight: 270-512 g (9.53-18.07 ounces)
Sexes similar.

Sound
Quiet away from breeding colony. Quiet, throaty "rick-rack."

Cool Facts:

The Cattle Egret is native to Africa and Asia, and only reached the Americas in the late 19th century. It was first found in northeastern South America in 1877, having probably arrived there from Africa. It reached the United States in 1941, and started nesting by 1953. In the next 50 years it became one of the most abundant of the North American herons. It has occurred all the way to Alaska and Newfoundland, and has bred in nearly all states.
The Cattle Egret is an opportunistic feeder, and will follow large animals or machines to catch insects they stir up. It also is attracted by smoke from a large fire. Egrets come from long distances to catch insects trying to escape the fire.
The Cattle Egret occasionally adds birds to its diet. At Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas off the coast of Florida, migrating Cattle Egrets land on the large green lawn inside the fort, probably hoping for some nice grasshoppers. Because no insects are there to be had, the egrets try to catch the migrating warblers that also have stopped on the tiny island.

Source
Argus, Juyona, SelenE, jaycee, MMM, jmirah, angybone has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Bufo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 436 W: 72 N: 1007] (4233)
  • [2007-05-09 2:53]

Hi Manyee,
looks like this handsome fellow can use some gel or wax in it's feathers. Bit of a fluffy feather dew...;-)
Nice portrait. Regards JAcob

He sure is buried away in there. Kinda grumpy looking I say... Nice composition Maynee.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2356 W: 134 N: 6487] (20173)
  • [2007-05-09 4:44]

Splendid capture of a Cattle Egret, Manyee!
I like the POV and that you show him sharply in his subtle breeding colors, framed beautifully by the natural foliage and flowers. This shot would be appreciated both by ornithlogists and the more arty!
TFS and best wishes, Ivan

  • Great 
  • Juyona Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2034 W: 6 N: 1772] (12386)
  • [2007-05-09 5:24]

Hola Manyee,
perfecto y original retrato,
parece enfadado,
preciosa captura,
saludos

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2295 W: 58 N: 4008] (13112)
  • [2007-05-09 9:47]

Hi Manyee,
Nice pose with good composition and details. It seems a bit angry :o) TFS
Selen

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1630 W: 7 N: 3949] (12666)
  • [2007-05-09 11:27]

Hi Manyee,

What an amazing shot of this Egret - a fascinating looking bird. I love the comp of this photo - he looks wonderful looking out of the bushes. The expression on his face is priceless. Beautiful colors and details.

Jane

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 736 W: 0 N: 1439] (6460)
  • [2007-05-09 21:25]

Hi Manyee
What a beautiful composition .Perfevt sharpness and colors.Very nice details on the bird feathers.Excellent POV.
TFS Michel

ooooooooooh!!! It don't look happy with you :)
Great color and detail. Love the expression on it's face. Very informative note...Well done,
Jim

  • Great 
  • Ken52 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 653 W: 97 N: 1196] (3863)
  • [2007-05-11 10:14]

This is a nice image with outstanding exposure and excellent sharpness. I really like the detail and the perfect exposure on the egret. The leaves make a nice frame.

We always say that when you see a bunch of these, it's a sign of rain. So far it seems to ring true but then again, we've had lots of rain for Texas anyway.
Nice framing making for a good composition.
He does look a little grumpy - might be that warbler in his belly. (Get in me belly! from Austin Powers movie)

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