Tag Archives: Great Egret

Wading Birds

Great Egret Mated Pair

March 15, 2024 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This Great Egret mated pair became aware of a neighbor getting a bit close!

Head feathers up, protective stance…

Get back!

That worked…

Ok, back to just hanging out.

Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 13, 2024

Wading Birds

Wading Bird Variety

January 7, 2024 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

On the opposite side of the wildlife drive from the Mangroves a different ecosystem was attracting a variety of wading birds feeding in some shallow water. On other trips I’ve seen this area completely dry. After the recent rains there was water here, although it’s not visible from this angle.

Snowy Egret and White Ibis — Snowy Egret (front) and White Ibis (rear)

Snowy Egret and Great Egret, water visible below — Snowy Egret and Great Egret, water visible where Snowy is landing

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 29, 2023

Wading Birds

Great Egret With Fish and a Pursuer

December 31, 2023 Ellen Jennings 10 Comments

And the chase was on!

Trees from the far back were reflecting in the water.

He started to land then thought better of it, his pursuer was not far behind.

As the Great Egret kept moving away from the far bank the sky made a much nicer reflection.

Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet, SC
December 7, 2023

Wading Birds

Landing On The Top

December 4, 2023 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

The Spoonie Tree remains an attraction for the wading birds, even the precarious looking top.

It’s a balancing act.

Even a Wood Stork took a turn.

Meanwhile, a few other birds stuck to their spots on the lower branches.

Spoonie Tree Convention: Wood Stork, Great Egrets and a Cormorant

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2023

Wading Birds

Wood Stork Trying To Steal A Fish

December 3, 2023 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Any time there is bird feeding going on there are always a few characters that would rather steal than catch their own.

This Wood Stork was one of them, and notice that the fish the Great Egret has in its beak is hardly a great prize.

Wood Stork Landing Going After Great Egret's Fish — Wood Stork Landing Going After Great Egret’s Fish

The Great Egret wasn’t giving it up…

…decided on an exit strategy…

… then a quick swallow and the Great Egret re-located down the pond.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2023

Wading Birds

Great Egret Plucking A Fish

December 2, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This was the first of a series of Great Egrets I watched catching fish in the big pond on Thursday.

The Egrets’ flexibility and flying skills are extraordinary.

And the fish were big!

Some so big that the bird had trouble lifting off.

It was only later I realized that most of the fish the Great Egrets caught were either dead or stunned from the previous nights’ cold temperatures.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2023

Wading Birds

Wanna Rumble? Part 3

November 24, 2023 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

It turned out to be more about something to do than possession of the branch for the Great Egret and he soon dropped into the water.

The Roseate Spoonbill settled in…

… had a stretch…

…worked one leg…

then the other…

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023

Wading Birds

Wanna Rumble? Part 2

November 22, 2023 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

The Great Egret won this standoff, with the Roseate Spoonbill re-locating.

A quick maneuver…

…flaps up…

And the Roseate Spoonbill settled on the other side of the tree.

While the Great Egret took the high point on the branch.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023

Wading Birds

Wanna Rumble? Part 1

November 21, 2023 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

I try not to anthropomorphize when watching bird behavior, but this scene unfolding in the Spoonie tree sure made me think of a territory rumble.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 19, 2023

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron Defending His Turf

July 6, 2023 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

Follow up to “From The Frying Pan”

These images were taken on a dull, grey morning, not the best light for far off action photos. But it was interesting, especially the Great Blue Heron’s behavior as I thought they were done nesting. He was defending his spot as if their were eggs or small chicks there.

Great Blue Heron Defending His Turf

Great Blue Heron Defending His Turf

Great Blue Heron Defending His Turf

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023