Great Egret in tidal lagoonGreat Egret in tidal lagoon – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

I’ve always liked the calm mood this image conveys partially because the stalking pose of the Great Egret (Ardea alba), the silky smooth surface of the water, the reflection and how the out of focus Snowy Egret and Little Blue Heron give the frame a depth that wouldn’t be there without them.  It also brings the memory of that morning to the surface of my mind, a cool February morning, my friend Adrian and I laying in the wet sand at the edge of the tidal lagoon, my other friends Mac and Rachel were photographing to my left, the salty smell of the Gulf of Mexico and the sun that had begun to gently warm my back. Friends. Birds. Photography.

Peaceful. Serene. Delightful. Ahhh.

Mia

Image taken at Fort De Soto County Park, Florida.

Click here to see more of my Great Egret photos plus facts and information about this species.