American Egret resting in snow – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
American Egret Egrets aren’t all that common in northern Utah but one has stuck around Farmington Bay for a bit this later this year than I expected.
I was quite pleased to find this American Egret Egret resting in snow yesterday while I was photographing other birds at the WMA. I saw it land next to the water and I couldn’t get a clear view of it until it flew closer and was out in the open.
Our Great Blue Herons and Black-crowned Night Herons on the WMA are year round residents but supposedly American Egrets are migratory here in the Salt Lake Valley.
I don’t know if this egret will stick around or fly further south for the winter. If it sticks around I hope that it will survive the harsh days and bitter cold nights.
Fresh snows covers Farmington Bay and the Wasatch Range – HTC One M8 cell phone
The fresh snow at Farmington Bay WMA was beautiful and formed a thick blanket of white over the marshes and the mountains of the Wasatch Range. It was nice to see a bit of blue sky too after several days of gloomy weather. It sure does look like a winter wonderland.
Life is good.
Mia
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.
Thanks Jo Ann, Liz, Cindy, Patty, EC, Utahbooklover and Lois.
Patty, my long distance vision is super and that is such a good thing for a bird photographer and anyone who photographs with me. I notice and spot birds many other people don’t see and with this egret I was able to keep track of it the whole time even though it was white on white.
These images are so very beautiful!!!!!!
Wonderful image. I too am enjoying the change in scene from all the snowfall.
Love the egret – and your winter magic.
A beautiful image of a beautiful bird…so wonderfully camouflaged! Wonder if you’d had noticed it if you hadn’t seen it land. Probably would have…your eyes must be mighty well-trained by now. I hope it either migrates or finds enough food to survive the snowy cold ahead.
The egrets here in the Niagara region of Canada/USA are gone as soon as there is a nip in the air. So, I find this photo so amazing that an egret would be around where there is snow. Ours must be wusses. I love the winter scene.
So perfectly blended into his environment, stark white, golden beak and golden bits of dried grass and leaves sticking out from the snow. Always beautiful images, Mia. We have lots of snow too here in Draper.
As you know, Mia – Great White Egrets are very common in Southern Florida but I don’t care how common they are – I LOVE seeing them – especially in my own front or back yard. Therefore your portrait in white takes my breath away!! To think they were almost hunted out of existence for those beautiful white feathers. So enjoyed your capture of this elegant bird!!