This fellow had a more muted color palette than other Reddish Egrets I’ve seen.
He did, however, have the Reddish Egret moves, dashing back and forth.
Wait for it, wings up to change the lighting…
splash, and
success!
Onward -you’ve got to do a lot of fishing when your catch is that small.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 10, 2025
We always have an eye out for a Reddish Egret when in Florida. They are known for their wild dashes and twirls in the water as they work to scare up prey.
There were several along the wildlife drive. They weren’t super exuberant, but it was fun to see them.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 9, 2025
A Reddish Egret, just standing around, in the grass at the edge of a mangrove.
Reddish Egrets are known for the animated way they hunt, dashing back and forth in the water.
You can see my post Reddish Egret, End of Day Feeding to see how that looks.
I’ve seen them perched on top of mangroves, but this is the first time I’d seen one hunkered down in the marsh vegetation.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 29, 2023
We arrived at Black Point Wildlife Drive about 45 minutes before sundown. The light was quite elegant on this feeding Reddish Egret.
The swirl in the water shows how quickly these wading birds change direction, darting back and forth.
And, how very little their prey is.
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 16, 2023
Watching Reddish Egrets showing off their fishing moves never gets old for me. These images were taken a different day than my similar May 5th post, but the action was pretty much the same.
This last image isn’t that clear but what I took to be a jumping fish startling the Reddish Egret was interesting.
Black Point Wildlife Drive
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 11, 2022
There is no etiquette amongst the wading birds.
Birds just drop in on each other, no announcement necessary.
You were busy fishing, I’ll share your spot.
Maybe just hop a bit further on.
I don’t know if they actually touched, but it sure was close.
The Reddish Egret never kept to his path and the Ibis did keep moving. Once the Ibis touched down he didn’t look as big as with his wings out.
According to Cornell’s All About Birds, the Glossy Ibis at 19-26 inches(48-66 cm) in length is slightly smaller than the Reddish Egret at 28-31 inches (70-80 cm).
Black Point Wildlife Drive
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022
Watching Reddish Egrets showing off their fishing moves never gets old.
Black Point Wildlife Drive
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022
I was delighted to see a Reddish Egret on Bulls Island, even if it didn’t show off the fishing dance they are known for.
In fact, he didn’t move much at all.
April 2, 2022
A Reddish Egret was feeding in a shallow pond, pretty calmly for a Reddish Egret.
I was disappointed not to see any of the wild abandon they often display as they feed.
Calm was working for him on this morning.
He snatched several small edibles from the water, making little ripples.
Like most wading birds the Reddish Egret can spend a lot of time standing around. But when they are ready to hunt, look out!
They use their whole body: running, raising their wings, jumping in the air, and bam!
He got a little fish for dinner.
Then it starts again.
Hopefully some of his catch will be bigger, otherwise he would never be able to eat enough to support all this exercise.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
December 31, 2019
