I made a couple of stops out at Echo Park in Burlington Wisconsin as some Great Egrets were being reported there at the dam. Nice numbers of 10-15 were present when I was there. I think numbers are down from a few days ago. These birds put on an amazing show while I was there! They all seemed to be fishing while I was present but only a few fish were actually caught. Some of the other things I enjoyed watching was the preening, some interaction when a fish was caught or sometimes just relaxing. It is a sight to see as these amazing birds will soon be heading south. Weather conditions were overcast skies for the most part with some wind and cool fall like temps. Images were taken on September 28-29, 2016.
All fluffed up!
Great Egret
Binomial name: Ardea alba
Category: Bittern, Herons, and Allies
Size: 39” long, 51” wing span
Weight: 1.9 lb
Hanging out
Moving around above the dam
Incoming
The landing
The stop
The catch!
Takes the catch away to avoid the other egrets trying to take it
Above the dam it takes the catch
The landing
The stop
Just coming through
From the top of the dam down
Just beauty
Fishing
A pair on top of the dam
Preening
Resting
More preening
More preening
Checking things out
The itch
Coming through
Another catch and to the top of the dam
Wondering where to go now
Just coming through gang!
Stretching
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing
More fishing
Moving around
The flight
Fishing
Fishing
Fishing
Another catch
Squeeze the fish
The close-up
To the top of the dam, less egrets to fight off for the catch
Believe it or not, it catches this fish and eats it
A little preening above the dam
Walking the dam
Walking the dam
Turns around, walks the other way
A little more preening
Resting
More preening
The landing
Scratching
And more fishing
Pose on the dam
Walking the dam
Great Egret with a Great Blue Heron
A fishing pair
Stalking the prey in the grass
Just being me
Moving to a new fishing place
Serious fishing
The catch!
The catch!