When I photographed this Great Egret perched high in a tree at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge four days ago, I was drawn in by the habitat.
Great Egret perched in a tree in summer – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/2500, ISO 800, -1.0 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light
After nearly fifteen years in Utah, I’m soothed by how green it is, even this late in the summer, in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The morning light might have shown a little gold on the leaves of the tree the egret was perched on, but the green in the background is wonderful to me.
This Great Egret had company, with another egret in the tree next to it, and down below near the water’s edge a Great Blue Heron had been foraging.
Me? I was walking on the Sally Jones Causeway.
This summer I haven’t seen as many Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Green Herons, or Great Blue Herons as I did last summer at the refuge. The edges of the roads are pretty grown up, and that makes it harder to see even the larger wading birds there.
Is that the only reason I am seeing fewer of these wading birds?
I won’t even hazard a guess. There are simply too many variables at this point in time.
I miss seeing and photographing these wading birds, so when I get the chance, even from far away, I’m going to take it.
Besides, this is a great way to show what it feels like to be out wandering on foot in the bottomland habitat.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Great Egret photos plus facts and information about this species.
Spectacular shot. Thanks Mia.