We arrived at Black Point Drive just after sunrise and there was a lot of fog around, making a weird light. This Snowy Egret was taking a break from fishing in this little pond.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10, 2025
A Snowy Egret and a Roseate Spoonbill were feeding side-by-side in a small pond, each taking advantage of prey the other stirred up.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2024
It was looking like fall, with the grasses fading to brown and the sun much lower in the sky on a recent morning at Donnelley WMA. The water was high in the big pond so wading birds were not feeding. A single Great Egret preened on one end of the Spoonie Tree.
And a Snow Egret posed in the sun on the other end.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2024
This Snowy Egret’s pose really showed off his beautiful feet. That yellow gets a little brighter during breeding season, and is now starting to fade a bit.
There were dozens of nests with chicks in the island behind me and this fellow was taking a break from the din.
He repeated this water tossing behavior a couple of times…
…it seemed more about the fun that feeding or even getting a drink.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
June 12, 2024
A Snowy Egret showing off his moves and his brightly colored feet, hoping to attract a mate.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 29, 2024
There hasn’t been much action in Perry Pond with the water high, but a few Snowy Egrets were staking a claim.
This one, closer to shore, was hunting by stirring the water with his feet.
Slowly moving forward, hoping some small fish or crustacean would show itself.
He didn’t have much luck and decided to move on.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 23, 2024
We drove by this mostly dead tangle of a mangrove several times.
With the pond water high there was a constant rotation of wading birds using it.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 31, 2023
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.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 29, 2023
Three wading birds were hanging out in the Spoonie Tree on Sunday.
They took turns on the various branches, occasionally routing one of the others off the tree.
They would quickly return and then manage to line themselves up with the one branch left sticking out towards me.
The water was high in the pond and only the longer legged Great Egret took a turn in the water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2023
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 17, 2023
