Photographed at the Rookery in Venice, Florida

Early February
Nikkor 500 mm lens
 
 

During courtship displays, the egret stretches it's neck skyward and fans its feathers - a spectacular sight. It also does advertising calls and circle flights during breeding season. The great egret has made a comeback after being decimated by plume hunters in the late 1800's. 

In Washington State, great egrets are most easily seen in the fall from the Potholes Wildlife Area south through the wetlands around McNary National Wildlife Refuge.