On my way to register for my classes I got distracted when I saw this Great Egret in one of the nearby inlets that come off the estuary. After parking nearby and coming back to a suitable place to take the picture, he was gone. A minute later I heard him strike the water near me and then this popped into my view finder. Surprised me to say the least. Of course by his expression I surprised him a bit too. Fortunately he did not find my presence offensive and continued to hunt fish in the inlet while I snapped a few more shots. Odd shaped duck isn’t it?
Scary news of the day is that Radio Open Source wants to interview me about bird photography, geotagging, flickr and associated stuff. Ack? I must not have sounded like a total moron when talking to their researcher then.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Cousins
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.
Here you can compare the sizes of a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) in front of a Great Egret (Ardea alba). They only stayed this way fo a few moments before the egret ventured below the cord grass and the heron took off further up the cove.
Best viewed LARGE.
Filed in Mystic, Photography, Wildlife
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Also tagged Ardea alba, Ardea herodias, bird, egret, flickr, Great Blue Heron, nature, ornithology, photo
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Sushi!
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.
Another successful strike! This great egret was either having a very good day or is a very effective hunter – around 4 of 5 strikes brouth up a fish, most of them about this size, but a couple significantly larger. In order to stalk some of the creatures in the tidal waters I told my son to immitate the egrets, stalking very slowly and watchig patiently. His own success rate at luring larger crabs and fish has increased ten fold from the more "normal" method or scampering here and there.
Best viewed LARGE.
Gotcha!
Originally uploaded by eclectic echoes.
Great egret striking a fish. This one was very successful in it’s hunting. Coming up this time with a pretty big fish (about 1/2 as long as it’s own bill). Overall as I watched it, this egret appeared to come up with a fish 4 out of 5 times it struck.
Best viewed LARGE.
Great Egret in flight. Majestic bird. Patient, efficient hunter. Beautiful. Graceful – both in flight and wading through the water (or even standing on thick clumps of floating kelps!) For me right up there with eagles and hawks. After witnessing some recent dsiplays of abject ignorance and spite I needed to post something that helps make my own spirit soar.
