Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

I remember when I was relatively new to bird photography, seeing a Snowy Egret was a special treat.  In MD, I mostly saw Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets, so a Snowy Egret was a welcome change.  Now, after a couple years of birding and moving to FL where these birds are literally everywhere, I still don't feel any differently.  These birds are fun to see.

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egrets can be easily confused for other birds if you're not careful.  But a little attention to detail will make these birds very recognizable.  Snowy Egrets are medium-sized egrets most easily recognized by their black legs and yellow feet.  If you can't see their feet, look for a black bill and yellow on the lores between the beak and eyes.  Great Egrets are larger with yellow bills and Cattle Egrets are about the same size as Snowy Egrets, but they have yellow bills and dark feet.  Since Snowy Egrets are mostly white, you will frequently need to do exposure compensation to avoid losing detail in the bird's feathers.

Snowy Egret

Recently I was at Orlando Wetlands Park, and as I was walking, I saw small fish breaking the surface of the water trying to escape larger fish.  A Snowy Egret  was watching what I was watching.  He flew low over the water and plucked a fish out of the water with his bill in mid-flight.  I was incredibly impressed with his ability to do that.  Here are some pictures of it.

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret