Reddish Egrets – Adult and Juvenile, What An Incredible Treat!
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Heading out yesterday early morning for our an essential grocery store run, I grabbed my camera equipment, thinking, well, maybe I’ll just make a quick stop at the 10,000 Islands NWR Marsh Trail while enroute, see what might be out in the wetlands. (It’s hard to pass and not want to stop for a quick look, you know? 😉)
I am so glad I did stop….peering through an opening along the trail, look what I found!
Welcome to my photographed bird lifer list, #219 the Reddish Egret! Not only was there an adult in the beginnings of its breeding plumage, but just further up the trail was also an immature/juvenile.
It was so hard to leave; but I finally did, 45 minutes and 300+ photos later. 😉
It’ll take time to go through all those photos of the prancing, dancing, and feather displays for some future posts. But here’s a few so I can calm down from the excitement of sharing. 😊
Here are three photos sharing the adult Reddish Egret’s beautiful coloring and feather displays.
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Reddish Egret (adult)
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Reddish Egret (adult)
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Reddish Egret (adult)
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And here’s one of my photos of the juvenile Reddish Egret.
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Reddish Egret (immature/juvenile)
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Would you believe I was still walking on Cloud 9 at the grocery store?!
On the way back, I saw another awesome sighting of another bird species I’ve yet to share this winter from Florida. Next post!
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A super 219!
Thank you, Carol!
You are more than welcome!
I have a new email address” 0stormy5@gmail.com (that is a leading “zero”) How do I correct this on your site?
Hi Carol, resubscribe to my blog with your new email address. Once you’re receiving new posts, let me know and I can delete your old email address. No problem! Hope all is well with you and Art.
Cloud 9? I would be walking on Cloud 18.
YES, that is what it was, Cloud 18! 😉 I know I had a big smile on my face all day long!
Nice one Donna and beautifully photographed.
Thank you, Brian!
I hear your joy! very wonderful photos 🙂
Thanks bunches, Liz!
Great shots, Donna. You picked the right moment to visit the 10,000 Islands NWR Marsh Trail. 🙂
Thank you, HJ! I am so glad I did! 🙂
Happy you, good luck with the next one Donna!
Thank you, Hans!
How lovely Donna another beautiful lifer. I love the textures in the plumage of this bird especially the breeding plumage, which Egrets are so elegant at producing. Beautiful pics all round my friend 🙂
Thank you, Ashley! I was quite tickled with finding this bird, and then getting a bonus immature, oh my goodness, it really couldn’t get any better than that at that moment! 🙂
You made a good decision there. Another beautiful bird for us to enjoy as well as a lifer for you.
Thank you, Tom! I could not believe my luck!
Oh my gosh, Donna. How beautiful! I can really relate to your excitement, though with me it was a tri-colored heron at Terrapin Park on Kent Island. Wow – 300+ photos. Going through those will be like being a kid in a candy shop. Can’t wait to see the others.
Thank you, Susan! I never saw one last winter down here and was just discussing with Rick last week about driving a couple hours up to Ding Darling NWR where they hang out more often. I’ve always wanted this bird. Oh yea, it’ll be fun to go through the rest and share!
Great set of images Donna! Congrats on another bird to add to your life list! # 219!! One of my favorite Egrets!
Thank you bunches, Reed! I’ll never forget this photo opportunity, getting an adult and an immature! 🙂
That second-last photo is great, with the colours and ruffed-up feathers!
Thank you, Jane! They are so elegant looking, and a bird photographer’s dream to see down here in Florida. I finally had a dream come true! 🙂
So glad you took your camera along. Now we get to enjoy your pics. 😁👏
Thank you, Irene! I’ve learning from past mistakes of not having my camera with me. 😁
Exciting sighting, Donna! I didn’t even know such a bird existed, and what a beauty it is. You were wise to keep your camera handy, and lucky for us you did.
Thank you, Eliza! I very happy to share this egret with you! I’ve wanted to see this bird in past years but never found it. Finding it on the way I did while on an errand makes this a memorable sighting I won’t forget! 🙂
What a cool cool bird! 😎
…and I know! I want to take my camera everywhere!
Thank you, Lisa! Definitely cool!! I’m glad you know about the rule, “If I don’t take my camera, I will see something I wish I could photograph.” 🙂
Yes!
Fabulous find and wonderful captures, Donna! The Reddish Egret is truly a delight to watch.
Thank you, Ellen! It did not see me, and there were no other humans around to cause a distraction, what a special time it was! Including when a Wood Stork entered the scene, I almost fainted! LMAO Got to share some of those too, I know you love Wood Storks like me also. 🙂
Donna, I know I wrote a reply to this but it seems to have disappeared into the ether or I was in the wrong spot. Anyhow, no fainting allowed—just breath and get the picture! How lovely to be there just you and the birds. I look forward to your Wood Stork images!
They are beautiful, even the awkward teenager 😊. Nicely done, Donna!
Thank you, Belinda! I still cannot believe I had this wonderful encounter with two! 😊
Great shots. Must be awesome to have a nature reserve like this on your way to the grocery store Donna.
Thanks Rudi! I am in a remote area of Florida, I am actually surrounded with parks, preserves, and refuges. I have a hard time going out and not wanting to stop everywhere all the time, lol.
I didn’t know Egrets were reddish. Pink, tan and grey are a nice combo.
Congratulations! The list gets longer.
Thank you, Vic! When the breeding plumage is complete, around their face gets bluer and wait til you see a good shot of the legs I’ll share soon, they are cobalt blue!
Oh, my!
Thanks Donna for sharing this beautiful Reddish Egret. Lovely captures!
Thank you, Isabel! It is an elegant egret!
Yes, Donna. I did not know this beautiful egret
Congratulations Donna, that’s brilliant! (First rule of photography – don’t forget your camera!)
Thank you, Mike! That rule is pretty darn important when you don’t follow it! 😉
That’s why it’s Rule 1! (No. 2 is make sure you have a charged battery and memory card in it! Though I guess you should do that before Not forgetting it!! 🤔
Another excellent rule forgotten! 🧐 😁
Incredible, I bet…fabulous series once again, Donna!
Thank you, Indira!
Oh, I believe you floated all day! Congratulations on this sighting, it’s wonderful!
Thank you, Deborah, I really did! 🙂
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Fabulous, well done for taking the camera with you, just goes to show you never know what might cross your path. I thought these were herons at first before reading your text, I had never heard of reddish egrets.
Thank you, Sel, this was indeed a memorable moment for me, including because it was an errand run and I carried my camera! I’ve wanted to see and capture this egret for several years. 🙂
that adrenaline surge is powerful! Gives you fuel for a month!
It sure does! 🤩
These are the most exciting to watch fish. Glad you found them. While everyone is out looking for Spoonbill I’m going the other way for the Reddish.
Thanks, Ted! I did get to watch some of their moves while fishing, what a delight! I think I’ve got some more good ones to share later.
Tricolors dance, but nothing like a Reddish LOL.
Wow! Just simply WOW! 🤩
Thank you, Gunta! 💃 😊
Congratulations on #219!!! So exciting!! Your elation is contagious and the pictures you got are terrific. This bird-watching adventure has proved to be very rewarding for you. 🙂
Thank you, Barbara!! I’m still smiling about the encounter. I’m in my element when I go bird-watching, hehe. 🙂
Wow! What a special treat! Your photos are gorgeous! Beautiful birds!
Thank you very much, what a morning this was!! I hated to leave to go to the store, lol. 😉
Congratulations … how awesome! You are certainly in the right place for what you love to do!
Thank you, Denise! I’ve found Florida truly is a birder’s paradise during the winter!