Snowy Egret

The exquisite Snowy Egret is one of North America's most familiar herons, having staged a rapid comeback after protective legislation was enacted in the early 1900s. Found throughout the Western Hemisphere, these wading birds are delicately built, with snowy white feathers, black legs, and bright yellow feet, which they use to actively stir up prey in the shallow waters of ponds and marshes.

This slender, medium-sized heron has white plumage, a slim black bill, long black legs, and vivid yellow feet. It stands about two feet tall, weighs 13 ounces, and has a three-foot wingspan. Males are slightly larger than females. During the breeding season, adults are adorned with long, delicate plumes on their heads, necks, and backs; their yellow feet and lores (the bare skin between the eyes and bill) become redder.

http://birds.audubon.org/species/snoegr

Among the most elegant of the herons, the slender Snowy Egret sets off immaculate white plumage with black legs and brilliant yellow feet. Those feet seem to play a role in stirring up or herding small aquatic animals as the egret forages. Breeding Snowy Egrets grow filmy, curving plumes that once fetched astronomical prices in the fashion industry, endangering the species. Early conservationists rallied to protect egrets by the early twentieth century, and this species is once again a common sight in shallow coastal wetlands.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Snowy...

Thank you ForestDragon

I removed it for you, James. :-)

Thanks all. I am unable to remove, using Google and it won't let me remove from Galapagos Mission....sorry

Impressive series of spottings, juliejim7863! But Florida is not part of Galapagos. Please move these spottings off the Galapagos Biodiversity Mission. Thanks!

Magnificent photo of a difficult to capture bird

Beautiful photo!