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