There's something so elegant about watching an egret or heron hunt, as they gracefully slide through the marsh in search of prey. Their movements are so even and controlled, that is, until they strike out after whatever morsel has caught their eye. It never ceases to amaze me how efficient these birds are at hunting. It seems like they must catch something 8 or 9 times out of 10 attempts.
I haven't spent enough time yet around the grasslands and pasture lands in the area to know, but I wonder if the egrets in the Northeast also hunt rodents like the California populations do?
View more photos of great egrets in my Herons & Egrets Gallery.
Submitted to the World Bird Wednesday blog meme -- Follow the link to check out this week's posts!
Hmmm I don't know if they eat rodents, but I photographed a wild Turkey take a snake last September, so it could be whatever is in their sites. Very splendid images of the Egret!
ReplyDeleteWow, how cool to see a turkey do that. I've only ever seen them go after bugs!
DeleteWonderful photographs, Pat!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie!
Deletebeautiful. love the rich golden grasses around him.
ReplyDeleteThanks, TexWisGirl! I never mind foggy or lightly raining days for photography. The colors come out richer, and you get to shoot all day instead of just during the golden hours.
DeleteGreat sequence, Pat. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteI would imagine they'd eat anything they can get down their gullet regardless east coast west coast.
ReplyDeleteYou're probably right, John. I had always thought of herons and egrets as aquatic feeders until I moved out to CA though.
DeleteGorgeous white against brown! We don't have egrets here, but the great blue herons are quite skilled at the kill.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brian! I agree - I've watched great blue herons hunt for a long time, and they always seem to keep catching things.
DeleteGreat capture!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteA wonderful post Pat.. it's a lovely bird to see, fantastic images.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrew! They are quite stunning birds in all white
DeleteLovely shots of the egret. Beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eileen!
DeleteLovely captures of a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! It's always a pleasure to watch such a graceful bird.
DeleteGreat photos of the egret - especially the one with its beak open about to swallow whatever it has caught.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mick! I suppose it's always the hope to catch a feeding egret with the prey in mid-air -- it just happens so fast that it's hard to get a sharp frame!
DeleteHi there - splendid pictures. It’s always so hard to balance the white of these birds with the tones of the background - I think I actually prefer dull light days for white birds. (Not that I really have any choice in the matter!)
ReplyDeleteStewart M - Australia
Thanks, Stewart! I definitely agree about overcast days being better for white birds. It can be hard to expose them when the skies are clear (especially against a darker backdrop like the marsh)
DeleteIt's a beautiful bird and you captured it perfectly!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joo!
DeleteEgrets and herons certainly root me to the spot too. It is so satisfying to watch them fishing or hunting. Beautiful shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arija! They are captivating to watch for sure!
DeleteAgreed, what ever mechanism egrets have to judge the precise point of their attacking stroke must be marvelous. It is efficient and accurate. Sweet pictures as always, a pleasure to see.
ReplyDeleteCheers Pat!
I read once that the Snowy Egret has the best visual acuity of all herons but I bet the other herons and egrets are not far behind. These are gorgeous shots of the Great Egret Pat! Your exposure is perfect and the detail shows. I agree with John, I think they eat anything they can get down their gullet, which are sometimes pretty darn big items!
ReplyDeleteHi Dude,
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great blog. I was able to get the information that I had been looking for. Thanks once again!