No Regrets About Watching Egrets!

Every now and again, something on the Bayou intrigues me more than usual. It can be something that I see everyday but for some reason at that particular time, I am fascinated. I am a watcher of Nature..I seem to find all parts of this World interesting but when something occurs that is in my close..very close proximity, I can hardly tear my self away from the "show"! Today's subject..a young Snowy Egret.

Young Snowy Egret catching shrimp.

When I headed to the pier late this afternoon, I had good intentions of staying just long enough to check the crab traps. I had so many things that needed tending in the house that a long, leisurely sit on the pier was out of the question. With that in mind, I made the trek down the board path. I probably should have never decided to go..I never can stay "just a few minutes" when near the water! There are just to many things that pique the interest. As soon as I neared the water's edge, I spied the beautiful, white bird just strolling along the mudflats. First thought..."How does that bird stay so incredibly white in amongst all of this icky mud! Anyone who is familiar with the Bay mud, knows that it is almost impossible to wash out of clothing and well, this bird is white! Snow white! I immediately knelt down on the pier and whispered to Ezzy to sit. She had seen the bird and instinctively knew that I wanted to photograph it. She has been my faithful sidekick in this photography bit since she was a mere pup and has come to sense when I want to do a shoot. She went down on her stomach to watch me in action! The bird was about thirty feet from us and was so intent on feeding that it was unaware of our presence. It would take a step and then scoop up a bite to eat. Each time a wave would come in on the flats, it would wash dozens of small shrimp in with it. The shrimp had to jump back into the water to keep from becoming stranded when the wave would wash back. The wily bird would then scoop up shrimp after shrimp. It was so busy catching these shrimp, that it nearly walked right beneath us on the pier! Ezzy, being the friendly dog she is, started thumping her tail on the pier. A friend was near! Or so she thought..the bird eyed us carefully. Instead of flying to make an escape, the Egret turned its attention back to its supper and turned to walk the other way. I could have reached down and touched it at one point but still it was not afraid! I love living on this Bayou! I did notice that as the bird waded on the mudflats, it would drag its feet to stir up any shrimp that were left in the tidepools. This seemed to be an efficient method of fishing! I still ponder the whiteness of the bird verses the grubbiness of the Bayou. This bird must have a secret weapon against dingy feathers!

Immature Snowy Egret with its greenish-yellow legs and feet.

Mature Snowy Egret with the black legs, yellow feet and dark bill.

There are several white egrets on the Bayou. This one was definitely a young Snowy! An easy way to identify a Snowy is that it has black legs and bright, yellow feet! Now, in the pictures, you might notice that my bird has greenish-yellow legs with yellow feet..not to worry..still a Snowy! The young, immature Snowy Egrets have the greenish-yellow legs that will turn jet black with age! It also has the beginnings of a black bill, this, too, will darken. In comparison, the Great Egret has a bright, yellow bill and black legs and feet! The Cattle Egret has yellow legs and a yellow bill. All are white..all are egrets..all are beautiful! To be sure of the identity, you just need to check the legs and feet! (Now..I could open another whole can of worms by telling you all egrets are herons!)

A Great Egret..notice the yellow bill, black legs and black feet!