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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
This is the egret I mentioned in my post yesterday of the green heron. This is actually a very small creek behind a well populated residential area. I never expected to see the two birds here at all. Lots of ducks, of course. Anywho - I love these egrets and never get tired of watching them. Thanks for looking!
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The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a small white heron. It is the American counterpart to the very similar Old World Little Egret, which has established a foothold in the Bahamas.
Adults are typically 61 cm long and weigh 375 g. They have a slim black bill and long black legs with yellow feet. The area of the upper bill, in front of the eyes, is yellow but turns red during the breeding season, when the adults also gain recurved plumes on the back, making for a "shaggy" effect. The juvenile looks similar to the adult, but the base of the bill is paler, and a green or yellow line runs down the back of the legs.
Their breeding habitat is large inland and coastal wetlands from the lower Great Lakes and southwestern United States to South America. The breeding range in eastern North America extends along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from Maine to Texas, and inland along major rivers and lakes. They nest in colonies, often with other waders, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. Their flat, shallow nests are made of sticks and lined with fine twigs and rushes. Three to four greenish-blue, oval eggs are incubated by both adults. The young leave the nest in 20 to 25 days and hop about on branches near the nest before finally departing.
In warmer locations, some Snowy Egret are permanent residents; northern populations migrate to Central America and the West Indies. They may wander north after the breeding season, very rarely venturing to western Europe—the first bird sighted in Britain wintered in Scotland from 2001–2002.
The birds eat fish, crustaceans, and insects. They stalk prey in shallow water, often running or shuffling their feet, flushing prey into view, as well "dip-fishing" by flying with their feet just over the water. Snowy Egrets may also stand still and wait to ambush prey, or hunt for insects stirred up by domestic animals in open fields.
At one time, the beautiful plumes of the Snowy Egret were in great demand by market hunters as decorations for women's hats. This reduced the population of the species to dangerously low levels.
Now it is protected by law, under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, this bird's population has rebounded. |
mesquens, cookie10, tuslaw, jusninasirun has marked this note useful
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Hello Penny,
Very good shot here. Beautiful reflections. Very well composed.
Nice scene.
Greetings
Raimundo
- viv
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 309 W: 3 N: 613]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(3056) - [2008-05-13 4:43]
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Hello Penny,
Very nice composition especially with the reflection in the water I like your POV.
Vivian
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- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2416 W: 132 N: 6653]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(20877) - [2008-05-13 4:57]
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Hello Penny,
The Snowy Egret and his reflection contrast beautifully with the water and BG in this sharp and well composed image. I like the transition of colours from the dark blue water to the mudbank and the reflection is well placed on the dark part of the water.
TFS this beauty,
Ivan
Hello Penny
Back now!!..Just been to a funeral!!
This capture is superb as Mr Egret has staked his hunting ground..He is so still that the water is flat calm and allowed you to capture his splendid reflection..
I hope alls good with you and Im pleased your finding a bit of time for you passion in nature photography.
All the Best
Paul
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- tuslaw
(1142)
- [2008-05-13 14:24]
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Great capture Penny,
Very sharp, love the reflection. Colours are nice and natural looking. You caught him in just the right pose. Good notes too!!
Ron
Hello Penny. Beautiful snowy egret in fluffy white feather. Suprb reflection and in pleasant perspective. Well done and best regards. Jusni
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- siggi
(974)
- [2008-05-14 10:01]
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Hello Penny,
Great shot. Very good light. It has accentuated the colours perfectly. Nice POV too. Well done.
Hi Penny,
Nice Egret. I like the reflection-esp. the eye which was towards the water got reflected well.
TFS,
Subhayan.
![Gold Star Critiquer [C: 350 W: 0 N: 0]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-n.gif)
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