Getting a mate for a Great Egret is a lot of work. Like a Blue Heron they bring sticks to their potential nesting partner. However first they must get up, in front of all the other egrets, and dance.
The steps are, get down low, spread your plumage, and bounce straight up. Repeat as needed.
Click the first image in the gallery below to see the dance steps.
Great Egret Mating Dance – Click To Enlarge
Great Egret Mating Dance – Click To Enlarge
Great Egret Mating Dance – Click To Enlarge
Great Egret Mating Dance – Click To Enlarge
Great Egret Mating Dance – Click To Enlarge
Great Egret Mating Dance – Click To Enlarge
As the dance goes on, they bow lower, and stretch higher.
When all else fails, they chase each other around the swamp squawking like fools.
Terrific series. Not for the bashful😊
Thanks. I really like some of these shots too. We are getting 100’s of these since they started. As you would expect most have branches in their face, too dark, fuzzy…. but still it’s great. Ellen and I go in different directions when we hit the swamp to be sure we don’t duplicate too much.