Friday, November 20, 2015

Pic of the Day

Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis:
Saint Augustine Alligator Farm; Saint Augustine, Florida
     This beautiful Cattle Egret sports its exquisite breeding plumage as it preforms a nuptial dance to attract a female.
Cattle Egrets are an Old World species that made their way across the Atlantic during the 19th century.  This species was first seen in the Americas on the border of Guiana and Suriname in 1877.  It  arrived in North America in 1941, and in 1953 they were found breeding in Florida.  By 1962 the birds were a breeding species in Canada.  It is now a common bird across North America.  In its breeding plumage, I think it is one of our most beautiful egrets.  Learn more about the Cattle Egret at:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_egret

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4, 1/400 second @ f/5

4 comments:

  1. ...nice! You caught him at the perfect "feather fluffing!"

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Kelly.
    Would you let me know if you guys get an invasion of Pine Grosbeaks this year. I would like to photograph some.

    ReplyDelete
  3. When traveling along 41 north of the Everglades National Park last month, I saw a ridiculously plumaged (most likely juvenile) Cattle Egret. If I didn't have fellow travelers with me, I would have turned around for the photo-op. Huge regrets for not doing so. Not beauty like you present here, but highly unusual!

    ReplyDelete