Portrait of an Egret in a nearby swamp. The long morning shadows gave this an interesting background.
Great Egret
Category Archives: Wildlife
Wildlife Photography
Looking A Bit Odd, White Ibis
That is one huge nose !!!
OK, it’s a beak, but nose sounded better.
Great Egret, Careful Landing
This was a great opportunity that I took full advantage of.
This Great Egret dropped down to land on the end of a dead branch. The landing was almost like slow motion letting me catch plenty of detail. She was really quite graceful.
Best viewed large.
What you don’t see here was the reason for this careful landing. Just off to the left is a Great Blue Heron nest, complete with female on eggs.
Not a safe place to stop.
Egret, First Light
I’m not sure if the main subject here is a Great Egret or Spanish Moss. Either way I like how it turned out.
Do Turtles Eat Gators ?
While I’m sure they don’t (eat alligators) this gator might still consider making his escape.
This has the potential to be payback and all the turtles look intent on heading right for him.
Silly Human Is Back, Spoonbill
No privacy. A Roseate Spoonbill giving ‘a shake and fluff’.
White Ibis In A Small Swamp
Ibis tend to dig around all the places it’s a struggle to get a clean shot. I think it’s the bird most often passed up for a quick image.
This was an open spot and pretty much a consolation prize. Owls hunt here for Crayfish and nest close by. Ellen usually works this area but this day I tagged along. I did spot a Barred Owl. Her back, high and far. Guess I jinxed Ellen.
Never Under Estimate An Anhinga
This male Anhinga surfaced nearby and I could see a catch, just not very well.
I followed his path towards an old ramp surprised he didn’t just eat it. There are many around here that will steal the fish, or even grab him while he is occupied. The first image is not great but the story needed it. The rest are better.
After he climbed the ramp I noticed how he still had the fish ‘speared’ on his bill. While most diving birds grab hold of fish, Anhinga spear them underwater. At times they do it a little too good.
Once he figured how to loosen his catch, next was the head first issue. Fish gills can harm a bird, they must be eaten head first.
Finally he did a little fish flip…
A big fish, an even bigger mouth,
Tropical Anhinga in a swamp.