Today I decided to take my “big gun” lens, a Canon EF600mm, to one of our favorite spots in the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge.

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I was happy to find a couple of Great Egrets hanging around.  One of my favorite shots is of the above bird in breeding colors.

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The same bird in a different pose…

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While the other bird sat in the tree, this bird seemed very intent on eating!

Click on any image to better appreciate how beautiful these bird are.

A few tibits:

  • The Great Egret is the symbol of the National Audubon Society, one of the oldest environmental organizations in North America. Audubon was founded to protect birds from being killed for their feathers.
  • Not all young that hatch survive the nestling period. Aggression among nestlings is common and large chicks frequently kill their smaller siblings.
  • The longevity record for a wild Great Egret is nearly 23 years.