The ride paid off for the report of the Snowy Egret at Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County. It was still present when I arrived at 3:25 pm far off the road in a flooded field. This location is just east of the city on Hwy 106, south side of the highway. A life bird for me which made it exciting. Images were taken on May 29, 2014.
Great Egret – left, Snowy Egret, right
Snowy Egret
Binomial name: Egretta thula
Category: Bittern, Herons, and Allies
Size: 24” long, 41” wing span
Weight: 13 oz.
Habitat: Typically they are found on most coasts of the US and Mexico but sometimes can be found breeding inland in wetland areas, mudflats and beaches. They forage in both freshwater and marine habitats preferring shallow sheltered estuarine areas. The breeding range is from the lower Great Lakes and southwestern US to South America.
Diet: Fish, crustacean, insects and smaller reptiles.
Nesting: They nest in colonies, usually with other wading birds. They like platform type nests made of sticks in trees or shrubs. The nests are flat 14”-18” across, 8”-13” high, lined with rushes, grasses, sedges and twigs. 3-4 eggs are incubated by both adults before the young leave the nest which is 20-25 days.
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
2 Great Egrets – left, Snowy Egret – right
Great Egret – right, Snowy Egret – left
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret, down under!
Snowy Egret – left, Great Egret – right
Snowy Egret
Nice captures on the Egrets, I have not seen snowy in a long time.
Nice captures and nailing the reflections and comparisons, Jim! Ding! Another lifer! Cool!
What month do snowy egrets breed? Were they breeding when you took these photos?
We have about 50 egrets living along the White River in Burlington Wisconsin. They are at the dam in downtown Burlington daily. It’s AWESOME