Shots taken quickly as an Egret flew past a group by the reeds.
Most here were other Egrets, however at least one Wood Stork was in the mix.
Great Egret, Leaving A Group
Category Archives: Egret
Group Fishing
It’s always nice to get a shot with various types of marsh birds in the frame. You can’t always get the perfect composition, but that’s not the idea anyway. Wildlife have their own rules LOL.
Included here ;
- White Pelican
- Great Egret
- Wood Stork
This shows just how big these Pelican are.
Great Egret, Marsh Flight
The Egret was flying by, however I wasn’t sure where he was heading so my usual is to wait. I did and caught the first sign of his turn before dropping away.
I was probably lucky to catch these, they can twist and turn faster than you would think.
Marsh Scenes
When we get to a marsh or swamp and find many different birds and actions happening, at the same time, it’s easy to just start shooting anything and everything. This means I will have tons of random wildlife shots. I will focus after a bit, but rule 101 says get the shot. Below are a few of the initial ‘get the shot’ images.
1) A Great Egret dropped down as we first entered. He was joining a few others already feeding. I wanted to get my first inflights right away to be sure I had the camera settings correct. I’m not comfortable enough yet with my new gear to ‘set and forget’.
2) A group shot below using the big Pelicans are the main subject. I hadn’t shot the Pelicans since the beginning of the year. They can take off in mass with little warning. So first thought was the Pelicans, but shoot wide enough to catch the Egrets and Wood Storks in the background. I have had times where big flocks took off immediately on seeing me giving me a few initial photos only.
3) Last here was a scene happening just off to my right as I was shooting the other photos.
A Wood Stork was walking away with something he had caught. In the reeds a Great Blue Heron was watching, probably considering his options to steal from the bigger Stork. It never happened, but I was sure it was about to. Looking at the image now, I think he has a stick. The Heron may have noticed that too and skipped his plan.
Out in these marshes when there is a sudden drop in temperatures fish can die off, or at least be stunned. When this happens every critter in the area comes for the free food. I did see stunned and a few dead, fish a little later. Most birds only want fresh kill. Bald Eagles, Alligators, and of course Vultures aren’t so picky.
Images taken in the ACE Basin, Donnelley wildlife area, South Carolina.
Peaceful, For Now
The Roseate Spoonbill and Great Egret looked so calm here.
I took a few shots and turned away. That’s when the Egret made his move. View the link below to see what I missed completely.
Click to view PassingByPhoto.
Egret, Dead Marsh Tree
A Great Egret in one of the few trees right in the marshlands.
The small island, with a few dead snags, is very popular. With both the birds and us. It’s one of the few spots where different species try to get along. Of course it doesn’t last long and this Egret had been chasing a Spoonbill right before this.
Fall Marsh Colors, Great Egret
There were several Egrets working the marsh grass here. I had seen Egrets and Herons chasing each other so I waited for another opportunity for a shot.
They kept the peace, however in the first two images here the Great Blue can be seen up top watching and waiting.
The golden color grass of a few weeks ago is gone, replaced by brittle browns.
ACE Basin, South Carolina.
Big White Fly By, Egret
A long, low, fly by. I have not had enough of these lately.
I’m learning how, and when, to use the ‘bird tracking’ functions in my new gear. First it tracks, doesn’t focus, or shoot for you. However it’s still pretty amazing. I also am just fine with shooting in flight like I always have…focus and shoot 😂.
White birds are difficult no matter what since there is minimal contrast for focus on. These were shot with detection on.
Not bad considering distance, speed, and as usual no real advance notice LOL.
I still use the mechanical shutter most times too. Getting 10 frames a second is still a lot. I did some Spoonbill photos at the slowest electronic speed… 25 a second. I need to dig through them. Way too many images.