I take regular bike rides down along the canals that run next to the road, here in the Hammock. I can ride the same roads and see something new each day.
This morning, late morning, I saw a flock of Snowy Egrets land and start feeding in the canal.
There were White Ibis among them. They have a long curving reddish bill. The dark bird is an immature Ibis. I also noticed a Great Egret standing among them. It’s in the center of the picture. At first, I thought it was a Great White Heron. They look very similar, but the Great White Heron has yellowish legs and the Great Egret…black.
I tried getting closer but they decided they’d leave.
It is so pretty watching a flock lift off. They circled around and landed again, but I decided to leave and let them feed on whatever it was that attracted them to that spot.
I cropped this out of one of the photos so you could see the difference between the Snowy Egret and the Great Egret. Big difference in size and the Snowy Egret has a black bill. It also has black legs and yellow feet. Kind of looks like its wearing boots. The flight photo shows several yellow feet, if you look close.
It’s funny….but until I started taking pictures…all I ever saw way a flock of white birds….not realizing there could be more than one kind. Now that I have something to compare it to, besides my memory, I can check my PETERSON FIELD GUIDE (East of the Rockies) , and then I learn even more.
Very good shots! Helen
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat! We see loads of Great Egrets and a few Snowys, but no White Ibis. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! You did some nice camera work here.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great sight to see; three different birds together like that. And you've captured it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of them flying off.
Carol, there is no doubt that taking pics adds another dimension to the learning process. FAB
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty assortment of birds! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful series of shots! What a lucky chance that you came along when they were landing. Beautiful photos! I've got to agree with you about seeing things differently when you start taking photos. I think the digital camera has made that much more possible, and I've seen lots more since I got my zoom lens. I notice all kinds of things that I never did before, and then the Internet helps too because it's so much easier to research something that catches your interest.
ReplyDeleteNice shots. I'm waiting for the rains to let up down here and the wetlands will shallow up a bit, then the flocks of waders will show up enmass. Stop by my blog to see a couple shots of the white-crowned pigeon. Tough rascals to take pix of. www.lizandprofessor.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteScott
Wow, what a lot of birds at once. Their take off looks pretty cool. Nice captures. And thanks for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteWow! amazing photos! We get one or two Egrets around here. I have never seen a whole bunch together like that, or different types for that matter.
ReplyDeletewow that's more egrets than i've ever seen in one place!!
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