Peace, Harmony and Snowy Egrets

  Years ago, I was told that Native Americans (especially those southern tribes) viewed the Snowy Egret as a symbol of peace.  Tribal elders who were the diplomats for their people would wear the egret feathers instead of the eagle feathers worn by warriors.  It makes sense as the the eagle represented fierceness, strength and power but the calmness, grace and beauty of the egret spoke greatly of harmony.  It was said that those who chose to be like the Snowy Egret could find the much sought after inner peace and harmony of the soul.

  I observe the birds and other critters of the Bayou.  It does seem to me that the legend attached to the Snowy Egret is fitting.  Just watching the bird is calming in itself but I have yet to see a Snowy riled.  Other shorebirds will squabble over food or roosting spots at times but the little Snowy seems to abhor conflict.  It goes about its business quietly. They are not raucous like the gulls or even scrappy like their cousins the herons.  

  Snowy Egrets shuffle their feet through the shallows to stir up any minnows, shrimp or tiny crabs that are hiding beneath the water.  They seem to work alone and do not even recognize or notice other egrets in the area.  These birds are content with their solitude and only seek companionship during mating and nesting.  Then they will nest in colonies to prevent predators from seeking out the single nest. Protecting the nest is the only time that Snowy Egrets become aggressive.  In a colony, all of the birds help to protect the nests.

  A juvenile Snowy (notice the greenish legs identifying this one as a youngster) fished for its breakfast near the pier the other morning.  It never once seemed to mind that I was just a few feet from it as it snatched up baby shrimp out of the waves.  As I watched  it, I became fully aware of just how calm the bird is.  Even its sweet face showed peace!  What an ideal bird to symbol harmony.  Love the Snowies!