Wednesday, January 04, 2017

Wild Bird Wedneday - Reddish Egret

There are approximately 3-5 Reddish Egrets that can be found fairly consistently at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.  I've found they are most active at low tide - especially if you want to catch shots of their strange sideways, hunting "dance" as they search for small fish in the shallow water.

This past May, I was also lucky enough to catch one in it's mating plumage - check out that tri-colored beak!  I though frosted blue eye shadow and Pepto Bismol Pink lipstick went out of fashion after the 80's, but these birds make it look good!


 
 
That hairdo also has a distinctly 80's feel to it!
 

 
 
The perfect pose!
 

 
 
Darn - I JUST missed him snapping up a fish, but you can see the water droplets falling from his beak!
 

 
 
In position for another strike...


 
 
And then it was time for the dance...
 

 
 
Step 1...
 

 
 
Step 2...darn no fish.


 
 
I had to return later in July to capture the full dance.  Notice that the bright beak colors from May are gone.  
 

 
 
Step 1...


 
 
Step 2 - some freestyle maneuvering...
 

 
 
Step 3 - Ballerina Pose...
 

 
 
...and the dance concludes successfully with a fish...


 
 
...unless you like to play with your food and accidentally drop it...


 
 
...but skilled performers know how to make a quick recovery!


 
 
And then take a bow!
 
Hope you enjoyed the dance of the Reddish Egret!
 
KJ
 

 







2 comments:

Lea said...

Wonderful!
I thoroughly enjoyed your photos!

BumbleVee said...

Woohooo....look at 'im go...... pretty funny.
Those colours definitely don't even look real do they? Great shots...