Tag Archives: Snowy Egret

Goodby 2018

December 31, 2018 Ellen Jennings 9 Comments

2018 has been a wonderful year of observing and photographing the wonders of nature, mostly birds in the low country of South Carolina. Thank you for following along. I appreciate all of your comments and observations.

I end the year with a Snowy Egret fishing in a rice field canal, taken on one of the few sunny days we’ve had lately.

A White Ibis dropped in amazing close to the Egret considering all the unoccupied space nearby.

White Ibis Photobombing Snowy Egret Fishing

Nonplussed, they both moved on.

Best wishes for a peaceful and healthy 2019!

Click on any photo for larger view.

Wading Birds

Bird Trees

November 13, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This is the first time I’ve seen more than one or two wading birds in these two trees that are at the edge of a tidal marsh. Snowy Egrets were coming and going in the first tree, with one lone White Ibis on the left. The sky wasn’t a great backdrop on this morning but I couldn’t pass up photographing this activity.

White Ibis dominated the second tree and while I’m not that happy to have fall arrive, the leafless trees did allow a good look at the birds.

Wading Birds

Everyone Face Left!

November 1, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

Well, almost everyone.

As I was maneuvering to a spot where I could view the wading bird feeding frenzy I spotted this small group of egrets off to the side. They seemed focused on something to my right; the big group was further back and to my left. The weren’t interested in joining in with the others. Perhaps they’d had their fill.

Egret Gathering, Face Right, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret

When the larger groups from the huge flock took off it was pretty noisy, mostly from the wing beats. During one of those lift offs this group decided it was time to move on.

Wading Birds

Three, Two, One, Go!

October 23, 2018 Ellen Jennings 9 Comments

It seemed inevitable that they would fly.

I’m not sure who gave the signal, but the whole group got it.

Click on either image for larger view.
White Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Roseate Spoonbill, Snowy Egret

Wading Birds

Wrinkled Reflection

August 29, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A Snowy Egret worked the bank of a small pond. I did not see him catch anything but he kept at it longer than I expected. Usually the Snowies are the least patient of the egrets, quick to move on when things don’t go their way.

Wading Birds

Solitary Snowy Egret

August 19, 2018 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

Snowy Egrets are entertaining to watch as they dart about, working to stir up small fish in the water. This one separated himself from the flock of nearby Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks and took a short break. We are used to seeing Great Egrets waiting this way, but generally the Snowy Egrets don’t have the same perseverance.

A quick turn and a pounce into the water yielded nothing, this time.

Taken 7/26/2018.

Reptiles, Wading Birds

Lining the Banks

August 15, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Wading birds and alligators gathered along this marsh inlet as the tide was going out.

The Snowy Egrets changed position frequently, they seem happiest when flapping around. The other egrets and herons tended to stick to their claimed spot, even as the alligators passed by.

Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, and White Ibis shared the banks.

Wading Birds

Snowy Egret Strutting His Stuff

July 26, 2018 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The Wood Storks were just standing around after having fed at sunrise, while the Snowy Egret was making a fuss. Snowy Egrets are known for their active foraging and strutting as they stir up food in shallow ponds or inlets.

Snowy Egret Strutting in Front of Wood Storks

Wading Birds

Snowy Egrets Synchronized Flying

April 26, 2018 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

And the chase was on. It was hard to tell who was who. These two Snowy Egrets were trying to impress a prospective mate.

The flying skill was quite impressive.

Their feet and bills have turned from yellow to orange for mating season.

Where this duo finally landed was a bit far for a good shot, but there was no mistaking the mating dance.

The Great Egret sitting on her nest was unperturbed by all this activity and a third Snowy Egret tucked himself out of the way.

Wading Birds

Bathing Hole

February 17, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

When I first arrived at the end of the boardwalk at St. Augustine Alligator Farm a Great Egret had this little corner to himself. He was just sitting there, not actively bathing, but dunking a little. No Alligators were in the immediate vicinity, that I could see.

Even though he wasn’t doing anything to attract attention he soon had company, as first a Roseate Spoonbill sauntered over, a Snowy Egret dropped in, and then a White Ibis joined the group. The White Ibis, with a splash of mud on his wings, was most in need of a rinse.

White Ibis, Great Egret, Roseate Spoonbill and Snowy Egret

The dirt look to the Spoonbill’s feathers is the transition to the darker pink/red that happens as they mature.

1/29/2018, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, Florida.