American Egret headshot in breeding plumage – Nikon D200, handheld, f8, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Back in March of 2009 while I was photographing a Great Blue Heron on the north beach of Fort De Soto County Park in Florida an American Egret flew in and walked close to the Great Blue Heron and me.
Sitting there with two very sharp-billed birds can be a little nerve wracking especially when you see the bills magnified through a telephoto lens.
The American Egret wasn’t paying me or the Great Blue Heron much attention at all, it only seemed to have looking for prey on its mind.
Squawking Great Blue Heron – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited
The Great Blue Heron; on the other hand, didn’t seem to care for the intruder at all and squawked as soon as the American Egret got within about 10 feet of the Great Blue. I don’t think the Great Blue Heron appreciated the American Egret horning in on its hunting territory.
I wondered if I might see a fight between the two large wading birds and I really didn’t think I would have enjoyed a front row seat to that kind of altercation especially because of those dagger sharp bills.
The American Egret ignored the Great Blue and continued north on the shoreline of the Gulf looking for prey and the Great Blue Heron settled back down.
Back in January of this year I had written another post about these Two Great Birds and wanted to share a bit more about them today.
Photographing the Great Blue Heron’s reaction to an American Egret’s intrusion was interesting.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Blue Heron photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my American Egret photos plus facts and information about this species.
Update: Great Egrets were renamed American Egrets in October 2026, the scientific name was changed to Ardea egretta. This post has been updated to reflect those changes.
These two close-up shots are fantastic, Mia! So glad they did not get into an altercation with you in between.
I will be heading down to Florida soon and Fort De Soto County Park is a destination I am so excited to visit. Over the years, I have seen your beautiful bird photographs from the park and only hope I can view some of the stunning wildlife you have captured so beautifully with your camera.
You know how much I love close up shots of Ardeids, Mia! What a great experience. Next time you head to Fort de Soto, can I come!?
Marvelous head shots of two majestic birds.
Both beautiful. And I am glad that there was a bit of posturing but no attack in this encounter.
I like that close-up of the Great Egret and the Great Blue Heron too. If you would like to see some Tundra Swans, check out this video: http://vimeo.com/79751216
Absolutely adore that shot of the egret – a bird I’ve not seen. Love the colors!
Mia, what magnificent details in these portraits! Most people never get such a close look at these marvelous birds!
Wonderful pictures, as usual…and interesting comments. They remind me how lucky so many if us are in our feeding, and how tough it can be for other species… many if whom must search all day long trying to find food.
I remember these encounters and their grunting sounds as they fight for hunting grounds.