Egrets in Breeding Plumage

[BillW]

I finally got out to Gatorland again last weekend. The egrets were all dressed up in their breeding plumage.
Here are a couple from the outing.

Great Egret

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Snowy Egret

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Thanks for looking. Comments always appreciated.

 

[Panos Kazanelis]

Great shots Bill, first one being my fav :smile:

 

[hangin tree]

Great Detail, beautiful bird well captured

 

[GonzoBernelli]

Love the Snowie

 

[Gale]

Awwwww yes the fresh little Snowy
Aren't they a hoot to watch and listen to. I just love them.
They fight and chase everything. Great shots

Just have to share this with you

http://www.pbase.com/techwish/image/58317141

 

[jfenton]

A Gatorland Question

When is prime nesting time and when are there chicks in the nest?

I'm kinda thinking of attempting a 3 day weekend to shoot down there.

 

[Gale]

Jim
St Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery is better
Season is now through june .. trust me late june is way to HOT!!!! and not as active
Harry and I are going monday
April -May is best

 

[Flew]

Jim,

I was thinking of making a long weekend trip down to St Augustine some time in the next month or so. Let me know when you are thinking of going down.

Bill,

Very nice shots. You've just whetted my desire to come down even more. :smile:

 

[BillW]

Great shots Bill, first one being my fav :smile:

Thanks Panos;
I've always wanted to get a photo of them in full display.

Great Detail, beautiful bird well captured

Thanks Gary for aking time to look.

Love the Snowie

Thanks Nick;
He looked like he wanted to say "WHY ARE YOU BOTHERING ME"

Awwwww yes the fresh little Snowy
Aren't they a hoot to watch and listen to. I just love them.
They fight and chase everything. Great shots

Just have to share this with you

http://www.pbase.com/techwish/image/58317141

Thanks Gale;
That's a great photo thanks for sharing.
These are the first shots that I've gotten with the plumage and displays.
The snowy's are really noisy with their courting.

 

[BillW]

When is prime nesting time and when are there chicks in the nest?

I'm kinda thinking of attempting a 3 day weekend to shoot down there.

At Gatorland, The Great Egrets have been on the nests for at least a few weeks. There should be chicks appearing any time now.
The Snowy Egrets are just starting to build nests, so that activity should extend over the next six or eight weeks.

Jim
St Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery is better
Season is now through june .. trust me late june is way to HOT!!!! and not as active
Harry and I are going monday
April -May is best

I haven't been to St. Augustine, but I'm want to get up there this year.

Jim,

I was thinking of making a long weekend trip down to St Augustine some time in the next month or so. Let me know when you are thinking of going down.

Bill,

Very nice shots. You've just whetted my desire to come down even more. :smile:

Thanks Frank;
Come on down. It's great when they are nesting.

 

[Phil K]

Beautiful shots, Bill.

 

[jimmyc1000]

Very nice shots. I like the composition of both. The first shoulder/back of the great egret shot is a little hot. Other than that, great.

 

[Kevin Scott]

Great shots, Bill. Glad to see the Snowys in their breeding attire.

Jim
St Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery is better
Season is now through june ..

Actually, I wouldn't say St Aug is better, just different. Gatorland offers some of the same species as St Aug but also has some species that don't nest in St Aug. Both are great places to get close to the nests. In my opinion, Gatorland has the edge for the variety of possibilities capturing flight shots due in part to the 3-story observation deck.

 

[sqphotography]

that first shot is beautiful!!!

Best Regards

 

[Focus Pocus]

Those are outstanding images! Thanks for sharing!

Richard

 

[BillW]

Beautiful shots, Bill.

Thanks Phil;
I've tried to put to use some of the tips i received at MI IV.

Very nice shots. I like the composition of both. The first shoulder/back of the great egret shot is a little hot. Other than that, great.

Thanks Jimmy;
These shots are the JPEG's straight out of the camera with only crop and slight sharpening. I shoot both Raw and JPEG so I'll have a look at the raw files later.

Great shots, Bill. Glad to see the Snowys in their breeding attire.

They really are noisy.

that first shot is beautiful!!!

Best Regards

Thanks Sean;
I'm going to frame that one.

Those are outstanding images! Thanks for sharing!

Richard

Thanks Richard;
It's great to witness the breeding colors and displays.
I'm looking forward to the arrival of the chicks.

 

[TOLady]

Beautiful! :smile:

 

[tomj]

Wonderful shots Bill.

I love the first one. Cool!!

Regards,

 

[BillW]

Beautiful! :smile:

Thanks Sandi;
I'm glad you liked them.

Wonderful shots Bill.

I love the first one. Cool!!

Regards,

Thanks Tom;
That seems to be the favorite.

 

[cajun angel]

WOW! Totally beautiful! Hmmm, maybe I should go over to the Heard Museum - I bet I could get a few shots of these guys too! Saw some last year but didnt' have long enough lenses.